New York–The Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education’s (CIJE) CIJE-Tech programs at schools nationwide will add advanced 3-D printing and software design as part of its CIJE-Tech High School Engineering Program.
The CIJE-Tech High School Engineering Program is a discovery-focused, interactive curriculum with a year each of scientific and biomedical engineering. CIJE-Tech exposes students to a diverse range of science and technical knowledge areas while helping develop multi-disciplinary and abstract thinking as well as leadership and teamwork skills. CIJE also provides intensive teacher training, on-going teacher mentoring, as well as all science laboratory equipment and materials. The curriculum was developed in collaboration with the Israel Sci-Tech network of schools.
“In the past, students would, for example, hook up motors to a foam block and try to imagine it being a car,” explains Judy Lebovits, vice president, director CIJE. “Now with 3-D printing, students can design a real chassis and bring their projects to a further stage of development. It will add a whole new level of expertise to the program.”
3-D printing is being widely adapted in engineering, product development, manufacturing and even food design.
“More important than the availability of the printers is our decision to provide advanced design software, which is used professionally and which students in high school don’t have access to because of the cost,” explains Jason Cury, president of CIJE. “We believe that using professional tools will help our students be better prepared for high school engineering internships, and future careers.”
At the outset, the MakerBot Replicator Mini 3-D printers will be shared among the schools. CIJE hopes that donors will help fund additional hardware purchases and software licenses.
The Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education (CIJE) strengthens and enriches education in U.S., Jewish schools across the denominational spectrum, educating a generation for innovation, instilling critical thinking, creativity and problem solving skills. CIJE currently provides funding for programs at 150 beneficiary schools nationwide including advanced technology, engaging curricula, teacher training and vital support in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) subjects. The organization offers a number of innovative programs including CIJE-Tech Engineering Program, SET3 science, engineering, teamwork, technology and training enrichment programs; and Excellence 2000 (E2K) developed in collaboration with the Israel Center for Excellence in Education (ICEE). Since 2001, CIJE has built 100 computer laboratories, 27 state-of-the-art science laboratories and donated more than 500 smart boards. CIJE was established as an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization in 2008. For more information, please visit www.thecije.org.
