2010 Science and Technology Convention for Girls

MadaTech was proud to host the science and technology convention for girls which took place on 09/03/2010.

The convention is part of a systematic plan operated by Science and Technology Administration in cooperation with the gender equality unit in the Ministry of Education. The plan’s goal is showing young girls how attractive and interesting science and engineering is, to encourage them to deal with the challenge, raising their faith in themselves and raising the number of girls who choose science and technology studies.

On a personal level, choosing scientific-technologic studies in school offers a wide verity of opportunities and career possibilities and successful integration in science and technology employment. A special emphasis was put on physics and engineering studies: computer science, Electronics, Software Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.

The visit at MadaTech, as part of the plan, introduces the girls to different interest such as: physics and music, Fractals and robotics, or attractive ways of learning the field of science and technology, which are different from those used in schools.

The convention featured lectures and a panel of female leaders addressing:

What do girls want? And do they have the courage to be there?

How come young and talented girls do not usually choose to study science and engineering?

The panel featured:

Prof. Hagit Messer-Yaron (Electrical Engineer) the Open University President.

Prof. Mina Teicher (Mathematician) - former vice president at Bar Ilan and head scientist at the Ministry of Science.

Ruth Kaufman (psychologist) – expert on the subject of building thinking and learning abilities, therapist and researcher in this field.

Naama Gazit-Yaari (Physicist) – science content coordinator at MadaTech, Israeli representative as a radiation inspector at the UN.

After the panel the girls met up with women who are leaders in the fields of science and technology at the academy and the industry. Not only did they lecture about fields of research and their occupation, but they also told their personal stories and built scientific modules with the girls, according to predefined criteria which were presented to visitors at the end of the convention.