ISTEAM

Israel Innovation, Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math

iSTEAM AT VTT

Fostering curiosity, critical thinking and a growth mindset

VTT’s iSTEAM program focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics using innovations from Israel as a platform to prepare students for a rapidly changing world, and ensuring they have a rich understanding of contemporary Israel. VTT’s iSTEAM program offers a special focus on developing independent learners, critical thinkers, collaborators, innovators and contributors. In this interdisciplinary program, students learn through inquiry and hands-on, project-based learning all connected to Israel.

Read this article featuring VTT's iSTEAM program: Israel Integration Into Steam: A Case Study in Innovation, which highlights VTT's partnership with master educator, Tal David, from the Center for Israel Education.

CURRICULUM GOALS FOR 2020-21

Senior Kindergarten: Hands-on iSTEAM mini lessons through UBC’s Let's Talk Science Scientists. Themes will explore and discover Israel.

Grade 1: Focus on agrotechnological developments from Israel and age-old practices from First Nations through a partnership with Stable Harvest Farms.

Grade 2: Through constructing two hydroponics systems, students will learn about seeding, growing, harvesting, and food preparation while connecting locally with Stable Harvest Farms. Israel’s drip irrigation innovation will be discussed and explored.

Grade 3: STEM Lego Robotics through building and programming robots while exploring engineering and technological innovations from Israel.

Grade 4: Strategy and logic linked to Israel by designing and creating a board game combining logic, math, art, and design theory and adding elements of Israel into their design.

Grade 5: Robotics and coding classes to explore engineering and technological innovations from Israel. There will also be a link made to simple machines.

Grade 6: Robotics and coding classes focusing on Forces and Motion. Students will also be focusing on the systems of the human body and making connections to Israel cutting-edge medical technoogy.

Grade 7 Classes in financial literacy and practical real-life skills about money, including budgeting, investmenting, and how to make smart money decisions. Israel's innovative impact in the global financial world will also be explored.

PARTNERSHIP WITH STABLE HARVEST FARMS

Hands-on learning about our responsibility to be shomrei adamah

VTT is proud of its partnership with Stable Harvest Farms, spearheaded by community philanthropist Syd Belzberg. In 2020-21, grade one students were allocated a plot of land to begin growing food for our community. They learned about agriculture, including seeds, germination, horticulture and best practices. Inherent in this learning is the Jewish responsibility to be guardians of the earth, otherwise known as the mitzvah of shomrei adamah. The more we appreciate the gifts of our planet, the more benefit we can derive from these gifts.

Read about this unique relationship in The Jewish Independent