AMITECH
Amit Technological Unit Alumni
Field: Formal Education
Requested sum: $14,600
33% of total Budget
Location: Kiryat Gat, Shafir
// About the Organization
The Amit Nonprofit Organization was founded by the alumni of the Israeli Technological Intelligence Division. The organization encourages further technological development for the state of Israel, including in the field of education.
// Project Description
The project is a weekly academic educational program for young children in elementary schools, with 30 meetings throughout the year. The activity is designed for working with small groups of children, providing them with diagrams and specific projects they work on as a team. The children learn to read technical diagrams and build efficiently, executing each project while practicing creativity. Educational robots are incorporated, enabling the students to learn about coding. The lessons have been developed by the Robokef company. The teachers of the program are certified instructors.
// Project Goals
The goal is to introduce a technology educational program into the school system while working in small groups. Learning is a hands-on experience. The children build different models with an increasing level of difficulty from one model to the next. The program enhances a feeling of success and builds the children's self-confidence.
// Target Population
The program strives to reach twenty groups in four schools, a total of 250 young children between First and Third grade. The program includes all of the students of the specific grades chosen by the school. School students from other grades also benefit from the special events held in the schools.
// Outcomes
Children will enjoy the program. The learning material will align with other educational subjects such as math, geometry and science, while enriching the students' knowledge. The children will overcome problems while working together, encouraging mutual learning. In the long term, it will also inspire them to pursue higher technological studies.
// Project Timeline
The program will be part of the school year and will begin right after the High holidays and continue till the summer break. Preparation will include reaching out to the schools, hiring and training staff and getting volunteers from Amit involved.
// Budget Sustainability
The program’s activities are partially subsidized by the organization. In parallel, Amit is working to establish partnerships with entities such as the local municipality and the Ministry of Education, to further subsidize the program and maintain a relatively low cost even after the partnership’s support concludes.
Amit is seeking the Partnership’s support to reduce the cost of the program for schools. Without this grant, fewer schools will be able to access the program at a subsidized rate, and fewer students will benefit from its activities.
// Project establishment status
The organization has initiated contact with the Education Department in Kiryat Gat, which recommended approaching schools directly. The organization has sent emails to schools to introduce the initiative. Amit previously operated in one school in Kiryat Gat but had to discontinue the activity due to budget constraints. The organization plans to reintroduce the program to schools in Kiryat Gat and in Shafir Regional Council to assess interest and potential participation.