Excellence in Science is a unique program that offers its participants an opportunity to expand their knowledge in the exact sciences: mathematics, physics, and computer sciences, with emphasis on experiential and hands-on learning. The program focuses on the development of cognitive, personal, and interpersonal skills. The program is annual, running from the middle of 7th grade to the middle of 8th grade. The Excellence in Science program operates as a joint venture between the Ministry of Education and the Future Scientists Center, pending finalization of contractual terms. The program operates at five academic institutions: Bar-Ilan University, Tel Aviv University, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology.
Academic Institutes:
למי מיועדת התכנית?
The excellence in sciences program was established with the goal of identifying, nurturing, and promoting gifted, outstanding female students in the sciences toward increasing the representation of women in the exact sciences in academia and industry.
חזון התכנית:
- To develop and enrich the participants' knowledge and understanding in the fields of exact sciences, including physics, mathematics, and computer sciences.
- To increase the students' motivation and interest in studying exact sciences and mathematics.
- To strengthen the students' sense of self-efficacy, self-image, and self-confidence in their abilities.
מטרות התוכנית:
Registration for the Science Excellence Program is intended for gifted, outstanding 7th-grade female students with exceptionally high academic ability who choose to focus on exact sciences in addition to their school studies. Students who demonstrate high intellectual abilities, high self-learning capacity, creative thinking, motivation, and a willingness to invest effort and persevere during the selection process will be accepted into the program. Participants in the program are required to actively participate and persist in the program alongside their school studies, including workshops and an overnight camp during the summer vacation.
אוכלוסיית היעד:
The program will span one year and will include a first semester from the middle of 7th grade, a summer seminar, and a second semester from the beginning of 8th grade. The program emphasizes exposing students to the fields of exact sciences, including physics, mathematics, and computer science, and enriching their knowledge in these areas.
First stage - 7th grade: 14 sessions (56 hours - 4 hours in the afternoon)
Studies will focus on the fields of mathematics, physics, and computer sciences, with an emphasis at this stage on exposure to learning strategies for coping with academic studies. Emphasis will be placed on developing skills of self-learning, flexibility and adaptability, responsibility, and building self-confidence and self-efficacy. In addition to the academic content, emphasis will be placed on developing intrapersonal and interpersonal skills.
Second stage - Summer seminar: end of 7th grade (14 hours during summer vacation)
An academic and social seminar taking place over 2 full days, including overnight stay. As part of the seminar, students will receive experiential and practical exposure (with emphasis on hands-on) to a variety of fields in the subjects of physics, mathematics, and computer science. At this stage, there will be exposure to various scientific fields, and emphasis will be placed on research skills, problem-solving, creative thinking, critical thinking, articulation, and public speaking. Additionally, there will be activities to strengthen self-image, sense of efficacy, and group cohesion.
Third stage - 8th grade: 14 sessions (56 hours - 4 hours in the afternoon)
Studies will focus on the fields of mathematics, physics, and computer sciences, with emphasis at this stage on the requirements of academic studies, as well as the development of intrapersonal and interpersonal skills.
מבנה התכנית:
Who is the program for?
The Vision of the Program:
The excellence in sciences program was established with the goal of identifying, nurturing, and promoting gifted, outstanding female students in the sciences toward increasing the representation of women in the exact sciences in academia and industry.
Objectives of the Program:
- To develop and enrich the participants' knowledge and understanding in the fields of exact sciences, including physics, mathematics, and computer sciences.
- To increase the students' motivation and interest in studying exact sciences and mathematics.
- To strengthen the students' sense of self-efficacy, self-image, and self-confidence in their abilities.
Target population:
Registration for the Science Excellence Program is intended for gifted, outstanding 7th-grade female students with exceptionally high academic ability who choose to focus on exact sciences in addition to their school studies. Students who demonstrate high intellectual abilities, high self-learning capacity, creative thinking, motivation, and a willingness to invest effort and persevere during the selection process will be accepted into the program. Participants in the program are required to actively participate and persist in the program alongside their school studies, including workshops and an overnight camp during the summer vacation.
Program Structure:
The program will span one year and will include a first semester from the middle of 7th grade, a summer seminar, and a second semester from the beginning of 8th grade. The program emphasizes exposing students to the fields of exact sciences, including physics, mathematics, and computer science, and enriching their knowledge in these areas.
First stage - 7th grade: 14 sessions (56 hours - 4 hours in the afternoon)
Studies will focus on the fields of mathematics, physics, and computer sciences, with an emphasis at this stage on exposure to learning strategies for coping with academic studies. Emphasis will be placed on developing skills of self-learning, flexibility and adaptability, responsibility, and building self-confidence and self-efficacy. In addition to the academic content, emphasis will be placed on developing intrapersonal and interpersonal skills.
Second stage - Summer seminar: end of 7th grade (14 hours during summer vacation)
An academic and social seminar taking place over 2 full days, including overnight stay. As part of the seminar, students will receive experiential and practical exposure (with emphasis on hands-on) to a variety of fields in the subjects of physics, mathematics, and computer science. At this stage, there will be exposure to various scientific fields, and emphasis will be placed on research skills, problem-solving, creative thinking, critical thinking, articulation, and public speaking. Additionally, there will be activities to strengthen self-image, sense of efficacy, and group cohesion.
Third stage - 8th grade: 14 sessions (56 hours - 4 hours in the afternoon)
Studies will focus on the fields of mathematics, physics, and computer sciences, with emphasis at this stage on the requirements of academic studies, as well as the development of intrapersonal and interpersonal skills.