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Afeka College believes that engineering can change lives – and change the world

Afeka College, a leading institution for educating engineers, firmly believes that engineering has the power to transform lives and change the world. As part of its mission to promote engineering among children and teens, Afeka College engages its students in social and community activities, fostering a passion for innovation and problem-solving.

Throughout the year, Afeka College hosts hundreds of young junior high and high school students, who participate in a variety of engineering workshops in the college's state-of-the-art laboratories. These workshops, led by Afeka students, combine fun and learning, sparking curiosity and showcasing the potential of engineering studies in solving global challenges and developing life-changing products and technologies and are part of the social involvement unit at Afeka's Ofek – Skill Development Centers.

The "Experiencing Engineering" activity has gained popularity among schools across Israel, with many requesting to be added to Afeka's visitor list. So, to make the activity more accessible to students throughout Israel, particularly those in the social and geographic periphery, Afeka College launched Experiencing Engineering on Wheels.

Equipped with top-notch workshop equipment and staffed by dedicated Afeka students, the mobile version of the project set out to Hatzor HaGlilit and Kiryat Gat. With the children in the area, the Afeka students ran workshops covering a range of topics, including Arduino, 3D printing, communications, and materials science. They also led teambuilding engineering activities, such as flying remote-controlled planes in Hatzor HaGlilit and assisting schoolchildren in Kiryat Gat with their projects for the national Kongolo competition.

The competition, held among 54 centers providing a year-long academic course for 5th graders, saw the Kiryat Gat students win first place for their architectural model of a bicycle that generates electricity for the community.

The successful project in Kiryat Gat was a result of collaboration between the local school, Intel Kiryat Gat, and Afeka College. The Afeka students provided invaluable assistance in building the bicycle model and other components using 3D printing technology. The local school team expressed their gratitude to the Afeka students and all contributors for their guidance and support, acknowledging their significant role in the victory.

Experiencing Engineering on Wheels is set to expand its reach, with planned visits to Ofakim, Yeruham, and Beit She'an. By bringing the engineering experience directly to schoolchildren in these areas, Afeka College aims to break down social and geographic barriers, inspiring the next generation of engineers across the country.

Dafna Wenger, Head of Afeka's Social Involvement, expressed her pride in the project, having grown up in Kiryat Gat herself.

“As someone who grew up in Kiryat Gat, taking this special project to Israel’s periphery has been a dream come true. It’s thrilling to see that we can reach and enrich teenagers’ lives across the country."