The world belongs to the young: Get to know Israel's future scientists

As part of the "Alpha" program, gifted and outstanding students experience, research, study and even write research work at an academic level.

We were intrigued, so we got to meet them up close

In collaboration with Future Scientists

03/01/2022

Monday, 03 January 2022, 14:12 Updated: Thursday, 06 January 2022, 13:32

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In the video: Students of the "Alpha" program in action (Editing: Gilad Manheim)

Did you know that there are high school students who are already integrating today, despite their young age, into the world of contemporary scientific research?

Meet the "Alpha" program - a joint venture of the Future Scientists Center of the Maimonides Foundation and the Gifted and Outstanding Students Division of the Ministry of Education.

As part of the program, students experience, research, study and even write research work at an academic level that can convert a matriculation exam in one of the augmented science subjects (5 study units), or stand on its own as an augmented subject in the matriculation certificate.

we were also intrigued by the unique program, so we came to the lab at the Weizmann Institute to see the young researchers in action.

"I would love to reach a level where I can test such things myself" (Photo: Screenshot, Screenshot)

"When I was accepted to the program, we went to a two-week summer camp where we were exposed to all the worlds of content - all the areas in which research can be done and then during tenth grade we chose the topic we want to explore," said Maya Ben Shalom, a student taking part in the program. "In the summer between tenth and eleventh grade, we did the practical research in the lab and ended up submitting a final thesis."

Maya said of her research: Cancer. These cells slowly lose their function and cannot attack the cancer cells. In fact, we are examining the mechanisms by which cancer cells weaken T activity and basically how this link can be severed and the activity of T cells improved so that they can attack the cancer cells. In the future, I would love to study for a degree and reach a level where I can also test such things myself. "

"Our laboratory deals with a lot of areas" (Photo: screenshot, screenshot)

"Our lab deals with a lot of areas," said Oren Barboy, who serves as the program's personal facilitator.

"I am specifically a researcher in the field of cancer and trying to find new drugs. The program is known at the institute as a program that allows to meet students and also very talented guys. It gives us perspective and opportunity to communicate our science with young guys who interest them and also generates enthusiasm through their enthusiasm."

Alpha Program Director Dr. Dikla Ben-Shoshan-Efron concluded: "In the program, they are teamed with top-notch researchers and do scientific research with them.

We make sure that our program is also 50 percent social - in the first year we work on forming a group and later give them leadership activities.

It is clear to us that science is not just in the air.

It is together with a contribution to society, so it is a very significant part of our activity. "To

• Scientists of the future

Tags

• Gifted

• Weizmann Institute