See original article here

ORT, The global Jewish education and vocational training organization, has introduced an innovative pilot project at the NJ Y Camps in Milford, Pa., this summer.

A team of educators from ORT’s Kadima Mada program in Israel has brought STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) “hands-on” workshops to the camp to teach new concepts through fun and engaging activities.

The program, supported by a grant from ORT America, the network’s fund-raising arm in this country, is also being offered at two New York camps, the 92Y Day Camp in Pearl River and Ramah Day Camp in Nyack.

The course themes offered are: Beginners’/Advanced Photography, Mobile Apps Development, Robotics, Computer-Aided Design, and 3D Printing. All projects also incorporate teaching about Israel.

The program has provided “a truly amazing experience for our campers,” said NJ Y Camps director Janet Fliegelman. “Between the exposure to technology and the integration of Israel, it has fit so well in our camp program.” The campers, she added, are “excited about what they’re learning about Israel and being Jewish. This has been a really terrific partnership.”

Ayelet Abramovitch, chief of informal education at World ORT Kadima Mada, who is leading the ORT delegation to the American camps, said she is proud to “bring the learning experience in STEAM to the camps that reflects Israeli innovation and entrepreneurship.”