Our Step Plus programs provide enrichment in science and technology for high-potential students. The programs take place in elementary schools and community learning centers, with a 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Our STEM Plus centers offer a unique and cutting-edge learning environment that includes interactive learning spaces, smart classrooms, advanced 3D printing laboratories, and more.
Step Plus Programs
Children in Israel’s socio-economic periphery lack equal opportunities in education, particularly in mathematics and science-technology disciplines. Lean resources and interest result in a shortfall of quality educators, lack of inspiration and inability to encourage curiosity and excellence among the children. Parents who are struggling to earn a living have no economic means to give their children additional support from private tutors.
Science and Technology Education for Students with High Potential
Atid Plus Step Plus Programs promote mathematics, science and technology studies and make them accessible to children with unfulfilled potential, while also cultivating creative thinking and inspiring children and youth.
The five-year program commences in fourth grade and concludes in eighth grade, motivating high potential students with average grades to excel in mathematics and science and increase their chances of entering higher-level classes in junior-high school, and continues to support them in junior-high. The program also develops logical thinking, curiosity, self-learning capabilities, personal development and leadership skills. Programs run in elementary schools and community learning centers with a ratio of one teacher per maximum seven students.
Program instructors consist of professional math and science teachers and fellowship students (handpicked after complying with a strict selection process). In 2017/18, 90% of alumni of the program entered advanced science-excellence classes in Junior High
STEM Plus Programs
Students in youth villages in Israel come from diverse backgrounds and include immigrants with little or no knowledge of Hebrew, dropouts, students from socio-economic peripheries and underprivileged families. Their entry point makes it difficult for them to pursue higher education and enter the labor market. They are also often unable to perceive themselves as having the capabilities to succeed in life, even less as entering the tech labor market. Youth villages suffer from budget deficiency and lack of financial support from the government, resulting in limited support for the youth.
Cutting Edge STEM Educational Centers
Giving Underprivileged Youth Equal Opportunities for Success
Atid Plus sets up cutting-edge STEM PLUS education centers in youth villages that respond to this gap and more specifically to their unmet need of STEM education for their students (ages 13-18). Teaching staff consist of fellowship students and professional teachers employing a personal approach. The centers are custom designed for each youth village and operate within school grounds and in full partnership with them. These state-of-the-art technological learning spaces, boast an interactive ambience, exposing youth to new horizons of technological innovation and entrepreneurship.
The centers also offer courses in programming, robotics, mechatronics, modeling and 3D printing and mathematics. Atid Plus is the only non-profit organization in Israel operating within youth villages, providing the students equal opportunities for success.
Currently, Atid plus operates six centers in youth villages across the country: Kannot, Ayanot, HaKfar HaYarok, Neve Hadassah, Alonei Yitzhak and Kfar Galim. In 2018/9, more than 2,000 school students from youth villages enjoyed an advanced learning experience in our centers.
Connect Plus Fellowships
Atid Plus partners with corporates and academia to provide fellowships to university students, giving them the opportunity to teach young people in Step Plus and STEM Plus programs. The Connect Plus Fellowships program enables university students to make a valuable contribution to the wider community by teaching disadvantaged youth. The university students get the chance to meet and engage with disadvantaged youth and serve as role models to youngsters who often lack positive older influencers. Students who engage in the program become part of the Atid Plus community and receive ongoing training.
Sponsor A Program
Each one of our many programs for youth at risk focuses on a different core skillset:
Entrepreneurship, Leadership, math and Technological Knowledge.
Math
Sponsoring a Math program opens a window of opportunity for children and youth to increase their future job prospects and self-esteem.
Technology
Sponsoring a Technological Knowledge program enables youth at risk to gain marketable skills in cutting-edge fields like Robotics, 3D Printing and Video Editing.
Gauss
This program commences in fourth grade with the goal of establishing a strong and comprehensive understanding of mathematics (50%) ,while exposing students to STEM (20%), experiencing working on projects (20%) and developing social skills (10%).
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMDa Vinci
In the fifth grade, Gauss students continue to the Da Vinci program , where they continue developing their knowledge of mathematics (50%), their logical thinking in STEM (20%), experiencing interdisciplinary work through projects (20%) and developing social skills (10%).
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMEinstein
This sixth-grade program expands students’ mathematics knowledge and includes particulate teaching to prepare them for various study tracks in junior high school (20%), STEM enrichment programs such as computers and technology (50%), experimenting in interdisciplinary science projects (20%) and developing social skills (10%).
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAM
Valentina
Valentina is an after-school program for junior high students in municipalities, designed to raise students’ motivation and sense of ability to advance to technological and exact sciences in high school. The program provides practical tools and skills t0 support mathematics, and scientific thinking.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMMath Excellence Programs for Youth Villages
Students in youth villages are, as a matter of course, directed to the lowest level of math (3 units) for their matriculation. Ultimately, this limits their chances of being admitted into higher education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) disciplines. Atid Plus believes success in mathematics opens a larger window of opportunities for children and youth and benefits their self-esteem. The program reinforces and enriches mathematics in varying educational ratios (from individual one-on-one sessions, to groups of 5-6 students), increasing their chances of being directed to extended matriculation examinations in mathematics (4-5 units). The program also inspires other students to excel and encourages the school management to open classes for higher-level math. In 2017, the first year of the program, 37 students tested for extended math matriculation, with a success rate of 90%. In 2019, 110 students tested for extended math matriculation with a success rate of 100%.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMVideo Game Development
Students gain familiarity with the world of programming and algorithms using software for developing games, such as: Code Combat and Scratch, while developing their creativity, logical thinking and self-learning abilities.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMDeveloping Escape Rooms
Participants engage in the construction and programming of the Arduino card, sensors and motors, developing interactive devices and even robots that can perform various tasks.
With their acquired knowledge, students can construct a complete escape room independently.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMAristocraft
Deepening and strengthening learning in physics through experiential-based projects. Using Aristocraft kits, students build models of machines and enjoy practical learning of mechanical and physical principles. Each student constructs six different models, including an engine, flashlight, crane, and catapult.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMRobotics FLL
Introduces students to the worlds of science, technology and engineering through international robotics competitions. Students learn how to build and program a robot and perform different actions. They present their work and take part in the competitions.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAM3D Printing
Students learn about the world of 3D printing which is at the forefront of science and industry today. They will construct 3 Delta printers, specializing in operation, calibration, modeling and printing.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMScience Accelerator
The Science Accelerator is a space entrepreneurship program in which students develop practical, innovative and scientifically based products for the use of future Moon and Mars colonizers. The program, developed by “Out of the Box,” is a collaboration with iLEAD Schools and guided by Dr. Jacob Cohen, Chief Scientist, NASA Ames Research Center.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMTechnovation IL
A fascinating international socio-technology program for girls, TECHNOVATION is a program where girls are invited to choose a social challenge or problem to solve. The girls work on finding a technological solution and establishing an enterprise that answers the problem. The students study the fundamentals of application programming, logical thinking keys, take part in international competitions and sharpen the many skills required in the world today.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMMeshek Tech
Meshek Tech (Agri-Tech) is an innovative and hands-on entrepreneurship program for high school students, developed by Dr. Avi Ben-Shimhon, an educator, scientist and entrepreneur. Using Target Based Learning methodology, the program offers a unique learning platform in which students develop and implement technological and scientific initiatives as solutions to agricultural challenges. They learn software, Arduino (interactive electronic kits), computer modeling and 3D printing, mathematics, physics, biology and more.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMGirls Plus
Girls Plus encourages girls in youth villages to participate in STEM studies and fulfil their personal potential in these fields. The program exposes the girls to the variety of disciplines within the technology world and gives them concrete knowledge. It engages the girls with women professionals from science and technology industries or academia who serve as role models and help in breaking psychological and social barriers that prevent the girls from pursuing technological and scientific studies. The program includes the Technovation challenge as an entrepreneurial experience.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMKeys
The KEYS program is designed to increase mental motivation and resilience, giving 5-unit math students the tools and necessary skills to deal with personal and educational challenges. The course combines instruction and discourse sessions, as well as empowerment sessions through sports, focusing on cultivating personal and group functioning, a sense of competence, skills in discourse, self-reflection, and more.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMSpearhead
The 4-year Spearhead program focuses on the personal development of the Atid Plus students, transforming them into a leading group in the youth village, positively influencing their environment. The ultimate goal of the program is to develop leadership and excellence as a way of life for the individual and for the group.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAM
Math
Sponsoring a Math program opens a window of opportunity for children and youth to increase their future job prospects and self-esteem.
Gauss
This program commences in fourth grade with the goal of establishing a strong and comprehensive understanding of mathematics (50%) ,while exposing students to STEM (20%), experiencing working on projects (20%) and developing social skills (10%).
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMDa Vinci
In the fifth grade, Gauss students continue to the Da Vinci program , where they continue developing their knowledge of mathematics (50%), their logical thinking in STEM (20%), experiencing interdisciplinary work through projects (20%) and developing social skills (10%).
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMEinstein
This sixth-grade program expands students’ mathematics knowledge and includes particulate teaching to prepare them for various study tracks in junior high school (20%), STEM enrichment programs such as computers and technology (50%), experimenting in interdisciplinary science projects (20%) and developing social skills (10%).
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAM
Valentina
Valentina is an after-school program for junior high students in municipalities, designed to raise students’ motivation and sense of ability to advance to technological and exact sciences in high school. The program provides practical tools and skills t0 support mathematics, and scientific thinking.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMMath Excellence Programs for Youth Villages
Students in youth villages are, as a matter of course, directed to the lowest level of math (3 units) for their matriculation. Ultimately, this limits their chances of being admitted into higher education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) disciplines. Atid Plus believes success in mathematics opens a larger window of opportunities for children and youth and benefits their self-esteem. The program reinforces and enriches mathematics in varying educational ratios (from individual one-on-one sessions, to groups of 5-6 students), increasing their chances of being directed to extended matriculation examinations in mathematics (4-5 units). The program also inspires other students to excel and encourages the school management to open classes for higher-level math. In 2017, the first year of the program, 37 students tested for extended math matriculation, with a success rate of 90%. In 2019, 110 students tested for extended math matriculation with a success rate of 100%.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAM
Technology
Sponsoring a Technological Knowledge program enables youth at risk to gain marketable skills in cutting-edge fields like Robotics, 3D Printing and Video Editing.
Video Game Development
Students gain familiarity with the world of programming and algorithms using software for developing games, such as: Code Combat and Scratch, while developing their creativity, logical thinking and self-learning abilities.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMDeveloping Escape Rooms
Participants engage in the construction and programming of the Arduino card, sensors and motors, developing interactive devices and even robots that can perform various tasks.
With their acquired knowledge, students can construct a complete escape room independently.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMAristocraft
Deepening and strengthening learning in physics through experiential-based projects. Using Aristocraft kits, students build models of machines and enjoy practical learning of mechanical and physical principles. Each student constructs six different models, including an engine, flashlight, crane, and catapult.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMRobotics FLL
Introduces students to the worlds of science, technology and engineering through international robotics competitions. Students learn how to build and program a robot and perform different actions. They present their work and take part in the competitions.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAM3D Printing
Students learn about the world of 3D printing which is at the forefront of science and industry today. They will construct 3 Delta printers, specializing in operation, calibration, modeling and printing.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAM
Entrepreneurship
Sponsoring one of our Entrepreneurship programs creates a lasting and tangible impact on adolescent’s lives and equips them with the tools to succeed in today’s fast-paced world.
Science Accelerator
The Science Accelerator is a space entrepreneurship program in which students develop practical, innovative and scientifically based products for the use of future Moon and Mars colonizers. The program, developed by “Out of the Box,” is a collaboration with iLEAD Schools and guided by Dr. Jacob Cohen, Chief Scientist, NASA Ames Research Center.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMTechnovation IL
A fascinating international socio-technology program for girls, TECHNOVATION is a program where girls are invited to choose a social challenge or problem to solve. The girls work on finding a technological solution and establishing an enterprise that answers the problem. The students study the fundamentals of application programming, logical thinking keys, take part in international competitions and sharpen the many skills required in the world today.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMMeshek Tech
Meshek Tech (Agri-Tech) is an innovative and hands-on entrepreneurship program for high school students, developed by Dr. Avi Ben-Shimhon, an educator, scientist and entrepreneur. Using Target Based Learning methodology, the program offers a unique learning platform in which students develop and implement technological and scientific initiatives as solutions to agricultural challenges. They learn software, Arduino (interactive electronic kits), computer modeling and 3D printing, mathematics, physics, biology and more.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAM
Leadership
Sponsoring a Leadership program gives youth at risk essential skills that help them develop into tomorrow’s leaders.
Girls Plus
Girls Plus encourages girls in youth villages to participate in STEM studies and fulfil their personal potential in these fields. The program exposes the girls to the variety of disciplines within the technology world and gives them concrete knowledge. It engages the girls with women professionals from science and technology industries or academia who serve as role models and help in breaking psychological and social barriers that prevent the girls from pursuing technological and scientific studies. The program includes the Technovation challenge as an entrepreneurial experience.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMKeys
The KEYS program is designed to increase mental motivation and resilience, giving 5-unit math students the tools and necessary skills to deal with personal and educational challenges. The course combines instruction and discourse sessions, as well as empowerment sessions through sports, focusing on cultivating personal and group functioning, a sense of competence, skills in discourse, self-reflection, and more.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAMSpearhead
The 4-year Spearhead program focuses on the personal development of the Atid Plus students, transforming them into a leading group in the youth village, positively influencing their environment. The ultimate goal of the program is to develop leadership and excellence as a way of life for the individual and for the group.
SPONSOR THIS PROGRAM