STEM Education from Israel to Mountain Top School in Warren

The Start-Up Nation is coming to Temple Har Shalom’s Mountain Top School. Har Shalom has partnered with Israel’s Technoda Science and Technology Education Center in Hadera to bring Technoda’s groundbreaking pre-school and K-2 STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education programs to Warren, N.J.

The new Technoda – Mountain Top STEM Learning Center focuses on significantly enhancing science literacy among children in the pre-school and K-2 afternoon science enrichment programs. It introduces children to STEM concepts in a stimulating environment that encourages active exploration and inquiry.

In this pilot year, focus is on three rotating themes: earth, body and animals. The Center will be transformed to reflect each of the themes, with hands-on experiments, creative activities and exhibits designed to develop fundamental scientific skills and concepts. In addition, The Center will feature an engineering area with blocks, a science sensory corner and a library area for resources and storytelling. Parent and child activities will be held throughout the year.

Children will be encouraged to use the Learning Center independently, with adult supervision. Parents waiting to pick-up their children will be welcome to explore the Center with their younger children and the Center will bring added value to the Before and After Care program, giving children additional options for learning.

Rabbi Randi Musnitsky, spiritual leader of Temple Har Shalom, and Dr. Gadi Mador, CEO of Technoda, are pleased to be piloting this new initiative together.

“Our curriculum is designed to create a community of learners,” says Rabbi Musnitsky. “The new STEM Learning Center will inspire and motivate children to explore, ask questions, begin to understand the world around them and how it works, and use creativity to solve simple problems.”

Dr. Mador explains, “Learning STEM at a young age is crucial for children’s understanding and advancement in the constantly changing technological world. This kind of program will set them on a path of science and technology learning that is key to their future.”

“This is a unique opportunity for the Warren Community to engage with Israel and bring an exceptional science education program to our children,” says Gerry Flanzbaum, Chairman and Founder of the American Friends of Technoda and a member of the Har Shalom congregation.

The National Science and Technology Council, along with the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and the Next Generation Science Standards concur that exposure to STEM during early childhood is critical to establishing an optimal educational trajectory.

Mountain Top School & Temple Har Shalom
Temple Har Shalom created the Mountain Top School in 1994 to offer a developmentally–appropriate curriculum that recognizes the vital balance of play and academic lessons for infants through children five years of age. A hands-on learning environment offers students opportunities to experiment, ask questions, test theories and make new discoveries. The school offers an inside gross motor room, state-of-the-art outdoor playground, an extended day schedule, arts enrichment, kindergarten through 2nd grade after school classes, summer camp, Mommy & Me and Toddlers in Transition classes, an active parent community and much more.

Mountain Top School at Temple Har Shalom is a private, not-for profit organization. While we offer an education rooted in Jewish values, we welcome all families regardless of religion or ethnicity to our community to promote a multicultural environment.

Temple Har Shalom is an active and vibrant Reform congregation established in 1970 on the principal of inclusion. We are a Jewish community that welcomes all, providing a sacred space where we can learn from Torah and feel inspired to improve our local community and the world at large. Led by Rabbi Randi Musnitsky and Cantor Anna Berman, Temple Har Shalom melds the rich history of Judaism with the practicalities of 21st century Jewish life and culture.

The synagogue offers innovative programming for all ages – from our Mountain Top School preschool through Hebrew High School (Machon) to adult education courses. Engaging speakers, social action opportunities and a variety of activities round out a strong and committed membership.

Technoda Science and Technology Education Center
Technoda was founded in 1986 to bridge socioeconomic gaps in Israeli society through promoting academic excellence in science and technology. What began as a process to revitalize an underserved neighborhood of Hadera, has resulted in a ripple effect that is transforming science education for children, youth and teens from all socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds throughout Israel. Today, Technoda serves over 40,000 children and teens annually on its state-of-the-art campus that includes an interactive science museum, a stellar observatory, a planetarium, an outdoor science park, a one-of-a-kind medical simulation unit and unique early childhood science center.

Nobel Prize Laureate Aaron Ciechanover (2004, Chemistry), Distinguished Professor at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology says, “As a Nobel Laureate I have been exposed to many science programs in Israel. However, I deeply believe that Technoda is one of the most exciting and innovate science education initiatives. It plays an essential role in training young scientists, which is vital for Israel’s future.”