Ofanim’s 2023-24 evaluation report demonstrates the significant impact of Ofanim programming in advancing STEM education among children in underserved communities in Israel. In particular, this report emphasizes the ways Ofanim was able to continue to provide high-quality programming in peripheral areas over the past year, despite the complexities and challenges of the ongoing war of Iron Swords.
Throughout the year, Ofanim operated 129 STEM groups in southern and northern communities, for grades 3-8. In addition, Ofanim expanded its’ programming to include evacuated communities and operated 72 additional groups for children who had been displaced from their homes due to the events of October 7th. In total, Ofanim served over 4,500 children in the 2023-24 school year.
In addition to providing robust STEM programming, Ofanim encourages children to adopt a growth mindset, vision of the future, self-confidence and resilience. The evaluation, conducted by an external research team led by Dr. Hadas Gruner, focused on two primary target audiences: Ofanim program instructors and school principals who had implemented Ofanim programming. The findings indicate notable successes, alongside challenges and areas for improvement.
Achievements and Successes
Throughout the school year Ofanim demonstrated exceptional flexibility and the capacity to quickly adapt programs to the changing needs of Ofanim communities. Flexibility was evident both in the ability of Ofanim staff to update content and in their ability to respond to frequent changes in schedules, group compositions, and locations. School principals praised the rapid response time and agile support from Ofanim’s team, which ensured continuous educational activity despite the ongoing emergency situations: “Ofanim was supportive of our needs; organizing meetings and bringing in instructors. They were responsive and flexible.”
The report also highlighted Ofanim’s impact on program participants. Ofanim children exhibited an increased motivation and aptitude for learning and were able to articulate a vision of the future, including their aspirations to enter careers in fields pertaining to STEM. School principals noted that children who participated in Ofanim programming developed a wide range of skills, including teamwork, creative thinking, effective communication, and problem-solving: “The children are learning to address current issues: water and air pollution, earthquakes, missile attacks. They learn that there isn’t just one way to solve a problem.”
These findings are reinforced by global data which indicate the growing importance of STEM education. According to a 2020 OECD report, countries with high performance in mathematics and science enjoy a significant advantage in a knowledge-intensive global economy. Previous surveys of Ofanim graduates found that 80% of program alumni continued their STEM education in high school and studied at the highest level of mathematics and English. In addition, prior surveys found that 60% of Ofanim Alumni pursued advanced studies in STEM degrees.
Challenges and Opportunities
Alongside these impressive achievements, the 2023-24 evaluation report identifies the complexities of working with children from evacuated communities. Instructors had to be cognizant of the extenuating circumstances and emotional sensitivities of children displaced from their homes and adapt programming accordingly: “Many of the materials we prepare for elementary students are suitable for home, but evacuees don’t have a home. No one prepared me for their reactions.”
To address these challenges, Ofanim conducted specialized workshops and training sessions for instructors throughout the year, aimed at providing tools and skills for dealing with complex situations and strengthening the instructors personal resilience in the face of uncertainty.
Looking Ahead
The 2023-24 evaluation report, provides a comprehensive and in-depth view of the impacts, achievements, and challenges faced by Ofanim in promoting STEM education in under resourced and evacuated communities. The findings emphasized the importance of investing in high-quality and technologically advanced education and continuously adapting content to the changing reality.
The report also underscores the need for cross-sector collaborations. NGOs, the educational system, local municipalities, and leading technology-based companies are all essential players in the effort to advance accessible and high-quality STEM education. Such collaborations can enhance impact, create synergy, and ensure comprehensive responses to the diverse needs of Ofanim children and their communities.
