First Steps in Science
A program for excelling and gifted students from the Arab community that exposes them to STEM – studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The “First Steps in Science” program aspires to identify and cultivate high school students with high potential in the Arab community, expose them to high academic level courses in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), increase their motivation and reinforce their skills for the 21st century, to ensure quality training and preparation for the academic world in the STEM fields and hi-tech industry.
The program consists of 4 main stages:
1. Pre-preparatory program, beginning of essential studies in mathematics + enrichment studies in physics, over the course of one semester. This is a screening stage for the program (2nd semester of the 9th grade).
2. Preparatory program of essential courses in mathematics, over the course of two semesters (A + B courses over the course of the 10th grade year.)
3. The incubator stage, over the course of two semesters, during which students study one academic course in STEM fields, still in their own separate setting (over the course of the 11th grade year).
4. The student stage, during which students learn together with regular university students (over the course of the 12th grade year).
Each program semester consists of 14 weekly afternoon sessions of 4.5 academic hours, as well as three Friday sessions, for a total of 75 academic hours.
The program emphasizes both the science and mathematics aspect and Hebrew language skills required to study in an academic setting.
The goal of the program is to promote excellence in mathematics, science and engineering, and academic readiness among students from the Arab community…
as well as train a professional reserve group from the Arab community that would be admitted to and integrate in science, mathematics and engineering faculties in the future, and be able to successfully cope with the challenges that these programs set for students.
In addition, several concentrated days of study of different lengths will take place during the summer.
As mentioned above, the program consists of academic courses that credit students with academic points while still in high school. In addition, our program works on five main levels:
- Enrichment in science:The STEM field program is taught by Tel Aviv University. In addition to lab visits, students will get the opportunity to receive the highest level of exposure to relevant research.
- Professional role models: Experts and professionals from academia and industry spend time with the students, to both illustrate and demonstrate professional success in the various industries in which students can integrate in the future.
- Learning Hebrew: Lessons are conducted in Hebrew, providing participants with an opportunity to improve their language skills with the aim of placing them on a par with native Hebrew speakers ahead of entering the Israeli job market in the future.
- Soft skills: The program aims, in part, to help participants acquire 21st century skills such as public speaking, self-confidence, team work, complex problem solving, and more.
- Networking: The combination of all activities helps participants create a social and professional circle that will assist them in the future, as they apply to higher-education institutions and quality employment in senior positions in the hi-tech industry.
Outstanding and gifted 9th grade Arab students, who are studying in the first semester, are interested and able to study mathematics on a 5-point level and intend to choose physics or chemistry or any other scientific field as a 5-point level expanded subject.
The program takes place over the course of three and a half years, until the end of 12th grade. Opening at the beginning of the second academic semester, during the second half of the school year, four-hour weekly sessions are held every Tuesday afternoon. Additional study days are held throughout the year, during school vacations.
Screening tests take place at Tel Aviv University, usually during December – January.
Studies usually take place at Tel Aviv University, at the Youth University building, with visits to hi-tech companies and research universities.
Around 1000 NIS a year per student!!
The tuition fee includes all science workshops and participation in science conferences! Scholarships are also available for students who meet the criteria.
Eligible students will go through a screening process.
The screening tests will take place at Tel Aviv University. To apply, please click the registration button below.
Members of the steering committee
