“Sparks of Science is a major

contribution towards the

advancement of young
Ethiopian participants in every
respect and it is welcomed
with acclaim, appreciation
and gratitude. Its contribution
extends beyond the sphere of
studies, affecting participants’
sense of belonging and self-
confidence.”
Excerpt from professional program evaluation

w w w. j e w i s h a g e n c y. o rg Sparks of Science
Sparks of Science
Many children who have made aliyah to Israel with their
families often experience tremendous challenges when
making the transition to everyday life in a new society –
academically, socially and culturally. This is particularly
true among Ethiopian immigrants, who have high
potential, but lower than average educational
achievements. As a result, very few young members
of the Ethiopian immigrant community are enrolled in
science and technology courses at Israeli universities.
Sparks of Science is answering this challenge and
ensuring that greater numbers of youth from Ethiopian
backgrounds have the scholastic ability and the self-
esteem necessary to advance in today’s science and
technology fields.
Operated in cooperation with two of Israel’s renowned
universities, the Haifa Technion and the Weizmann
Institute of Science in Rehovot, the three-year program
enriches participants’ knowledge of mathematics, Technology
Enrichment
advanced technologies, science and English, in addition to
developing and enhancing their cognitive skills.
The educational program includes six hours of weekly
instruction in mathematics and exact sciences. Classes for Ethiopian Youth
are conducted on campus by university lecturers, and
small tutoring sessions are run by college students in Sparks of Science is a unique informal
participants’ neighborhoods. Organized visits to the education enrichment program for
university laboratories, high-tech ventures, and R&D
high school students of Ethiopian
centers expose the students to the many opportunities
and fields they can pursue. origin. The program was developed to
provide equal educational opportunity
Throughout the program participants are accompanied
by a personal mentor and coordinator; an Ethiopian for young Ethiopian Israelis, and ensure
community worker with experience in the field of
their successful integration in the fields
education and social work.
of science and technology.