Tablet for Every Science Teacher

Israel is witnessing an ongoing decline in the number of science teachers in the country's educational system, along with a significant drop in the number of high school students sitting for the highest-level (5-point) matriculation exams in science-related subjects. As a result, in Israel today there is a lack of engineers and qualified professionals in the areas of physics, chemistry and biology – a shortage that is liable to endanger the future economic and physical security of the State of Israel. 
Athena Fund is working to empower science and technology teachers and to increase student interest in science related subjects. Athena Fund's "einsteinTM Tablet+ for Every Science Teacher" program aims to provide special tablet computers to all of Israel's 10,000 elementary, junior high and high school science and technology teachers. 
Developed by Fourier Education, these einsteinTM Tablet+ touchscreen tablets—equipped with eight built-in sensors including those related to heat, humidity, pulse, acceleration, geographic location, UV and light—transform the classroom into a mobile laboratory. In addition, each teacher receives 120 hours of professional training led by qualified instructors. Each participating school is equipped with wireless internet and at least five classroom projectors. Thanks to this new program, science teachers will receive the knowledge and authority they need to become innovative professionals, while science-related subjects will become more attractive to their students. 

The program was launched in 2014 in cooperation with Athena Fund's strategic partners—the Ministry of Education, the Israel Teachers Union, and Bank Massad.