iSTEAM – Innovation Science Technology Engineering Arts Mathematics – An innovative and unique program developed by the ORT Israel network’s staff. The program is implemented in the network’s schools. The groundbreaking program for teaching science (STEM), also includes art (A) in the planning and the specification of the product, together with entrepreneurship thinking and innovation leadership (I), which encourages creativity and ‘thinking outside the box’. Learning through employing the iSTEAM method, enables the acquisition of a general perspective on various science and engineering fields, while extending the learner’s knowledge of one specific field. Learning in this way develops among the learners hands-on knowledge regarding the product planning process and the system’s approach. Teaching and learning in this way, enables the pupils to develop a 21st century professional language which links together the fields of science, engineering and design. The program was successfully ‘exported’ to various education systems as part of international projects which were conducted by the R&D Administration of ORT.
As part of the program, ORT’s schools cooperate with the OPEN VALLEY accelerator, benefiting from the knowledge of entrepreneurs who come to the classes and serve as the pupils’ mentors in the various projects.