Knowledge is power. In today's world, where science and technology rule, those who have mastery of these subjects are the ones who are most successful.

There are young populations in Israel who need more attention than the rest. In a time when knowledge is power and science and technology are the keys to unlocking that source of advancement, we must equip Israel's people - its most valuable resource - with the skills to do just that. What's more, we must ensure that the next generation will be able to continue the cycle of scientific and technological excellence.

The Tapuah non-profit organization was founded in 2000 with the objective of advancing the information age in Israel. It serves to promote excellence while imparting the technological and life skills required for integration into the modern age. Its activities are conducted at community centers and numerous schools throughout Israel. Tapuah works with social and public organizations such as the Jewish Agency, government ministries, Keren Hayesod and the Sacta-Rashi Foundation, as well as companies such as Intel, Microsoft and Cisco and others.

Program Report

The Intel Learn project was implemented as one of the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Fund for the Enrichment of Children and Youth in War-Stricken Regions (Northern Israel and Sderot and its environs) that has been most generously funded by the United Jewish Communities of North America (UJC).

Program Participants

The Intel Learn program operates in 19 localities throughout Israel, in approximately 40 schools; it reaches about 3,200 students.

Localities in which the programs operates include: Eshkol, Beit Jan, Gush Halav, Upper Galilee, Horfesh, Hazor Ha’glilit, Tiberias, Yesod Ha’ma’lah, Kasra Samiya, Karmiel, Mevo’ot Ha’hermon, Migdal Ha’emek, Ma’alot Tarshiha, Nazareth Illit, Acre, Safed, Kiryat Shmona, Shagur and Sderot.

Program Detail

Intel Learn taught participants computer skills by using the following software: Microsoft Paint, Power Point, Excel, Word, and Internet Explorer.

The program instilled a sense of teamwork and empowerment; developed planning skills and critical thinking and reinforced ties with the community utilizing newly learned computer skills to promote community projects.

Intel Learn underscores the integration of social and educational content during the course of studies; for example, creating an advertising campaign for promoting the school, presenting a program for change in the community – proposals for improvement, which are presented to the school principal.

Experiential activities are an integral part of the program, and include a visit to the science museum and an evening with parents in which the students present the work they completed during the course.

Through computers, which are familiar and accessible to the students, it was possible for participants to release some of the tension they have as a result of war trauma. For example, the Internet acted as a forum through which the residents of the north of Israel could send their support to the residents of Sderot.

Program Staff

A team of 150 instructors and facilitators operate the program throughout the country.
Instructors serve as a role model and mentor figure for the students, imparting connection to learning and the local community in addition to the practical education they gain. By employing local instructors and staff and by conducting activities in the afternoons, which enables their parents to work longer hours, Intel Learn promotes economic resilience in the communities.

Approximately 35 additional instructors and five regional coordinators were trained thanks to the generous support of the enrichment fund. All the instructors and coordinators are local residents. The duration of the training process was a week and a half. Training comprised the provision of pedagogical tools for teaching scholastic material and high-level instruction skills. Jewish Agency coordinators and an ongoing dialogue between the school, the authority and the program’s operators, contributed a great deal to prompt and attentive addressing of the needs in the field.

Program Evaluation

Evaluation questionnaires administered to the students and the school principals show that participants felt that on a scale of 1-5 (5 representing strongly agree), the program advanced their knowledge of computers – average score 4.1; the program’s activities were interesting – average score 4.2; and that they enjoyed the program – average score 4.5.

General Comments

"It helped my learning in all spheres..."

"Kinneret is an excellent instructor and teaches me a lot. The lessons are fun and I would be happy to continue in the following years..."

Looking to the Future

Just one year of the Intel Learn program is not enough. As students continue to recover from the war, they also need supplementary activities and education to keep them engaged and connected to their community. The ties between the instructors and students are extremely significant to both parties. Additional emphasis will be placed on the training and accompanying processes in the next year, to maintain the connections made.

The importance of the relationship between the school and students can also not be overstated. In preparation for next year, individual meetings will be held with all of the school principals in order to best adapt the content matter to the students. Making the program as relevant as possible will maximize impact and participants' connection with their community.

Much of the strength of Intel Learn lies in the contribution to the community and the students. The students were exposed to new, diverse and enjoyable worlds of content and enrichment; life skills as part of the activities (for example, teamwork and computer knowledge) made them more meaningful. Without the project, for many participants, these activities would not be possible.