Number of participants in 2013

Through January – July 2013: 435 children (ages 3-6) from 15 kindergartens; 15 teachers, and 650 parents. Through September – December 2013: 25 kindergartens, 700 children, and 25 teachers

The Holon Municipality provided 35% of the program's funding.

The Scientific Exposure program, or as it is called The Creative Thinking Program introduces an innovative approach to teaching scientific and mathematic concepts in a creative manner. Although the program was originally designed and implemented in the secular school system some 35 years ago, this is first time it is being introduced to children in Ultra- Orthodox kindergartens, specifically to boys, via our well know Maagan Achiya Program. During the first year of its "exposure" in the Haredi kindergartens, the program was enthusiastically embraced by all parties involved: the children, teachers, parents and rabbis as well as the Israeli Ministry of Education.

The Creative Thinking Program introduces such scientific concepts as the center of gravity, friction and colors in a colorful and interesting manner, while at the same time encouraging the children's natural curiosity. The program's facilitators prod the children with questions, and guide them to discover their own answers and reach conclusions about the world around them. In every activity, the children learn to create a module to explain the concept visually and interactively. In addition, parents with their children attend similar extra-curricular workshops. Teachers are given separate, more intensive workshops to gain a deeper and more encompassing understanding of the scientific concepts under study.

The program's main goal is to encourage the children's curiosity while developing their cognitive abilities. At the same time, we provide workshops and guidance to the kindergarten teachers, to train them to be able to facilitate the program.

Below are a few of our conclusions after one year of activity:

All participants enjoyed the activities and agreed upon the importance of the material studied in the program.

Teachers quote: "I was astounded to hear children transfer the concept that they had learned to another incident."

Teacher's quote: "The children were so excited with the activities that they continued talking about them among themselves, without my intervention."

Teacher's appreciation of the program is demonstrated by the fact that they appropriated a special corner in the kindergarten to exhibit the subject and materials created during the weekly activities.

A principal of a Talmud Torah ( boys' school) participating in the program met Yitzchak Levin, director of Achiya and said: " I admire and am thankful at how Achiya found a way to impart the concepts behind the G-d given natural elements in our everyday life to our kindergarten children, in a most simple and interesting manner"