Building on the success of last year’s pioneer program, this summer ORT will once again introduce campers at six Jewish summer camps in the United States to the vibrancy of Israeli innovation.
From July 8 through July 17, more than 700 campers between the ages of 9 to 13 will take part in ORT’s Start-up Challenge, which includes interactive educational activities focused on science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) that embrace the entrepreneurial spirit of Israel’s startup nation.
Participating camps include Tamarack Camps in Ortonville, Mich.; three NJY Camps, including, Camp Nah-Jee-Wah in Milford, Pa., and Camps Shoshanim and Nesher in Lakewood, Pa.; as well as Camps Young Judea and Yavneh located in Amherst, N.H.
For these campers, ORT’s Start-up Challenge will provide an opportunity to delve into science, experience cutting-edge technology, and discover Israeli culture in an entertaining and interactive setting.
“The children are fascinated by their encounter with an instructor from Israel and the information they are exposed to about the country, including life in Israel, technology and entrepreneurship. They soak it all in and compare the content they learn through this experience with their previous impressions about Israel and the information they have learned throughout their lives in the United States,” said David Or-Lev, World ORT virtual-reality and augmented-reality instructor.
Through problem-solving, creative thinking, teamwork and tournaments, ORT will teach critical 21st-century skills as campers build robots, experience virtual reality, integrate coding to help their robots overcome obstacles and capture the action through the creation of their own digitally designed videos.
“Israel is a world leader in the field of technological entrepreneurship and innovation, and as Israel’s largest leading provider of informal experiential science and technological education, ORT is shaping the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs,” said Howard Lanznar, chairman of ORT America.
“This program brings our mission of impact through education to life by embracing Israel’s culture as a startup nation,” he continued, “and simultaneously providing campers with the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of ORT’s 139 years of educational experience in interactive, practical learning.”
