Engineering for Social Impact  

Afeka's SmartUp honors program is a distinctive initiative that fosters individual and collective excellence, sparks curiosity, nurtures creativity, and cultivates an entrepreneurial spirit. The program encourages community engagement and provides exposure to industry, all while ensuring students maintain high academic standards.

SmartUp selects students not only based on their academic achievements but also on their exceptional skills, innovative thinking, and drive to lead technological and social change. Throughout the three-year program, participants embark on an interdisciplinary engineering project that incorporates significant community involvement. They engage in hands-on engineering experiences, gain industry exposure, and participate in specialized coursework tailored to their needs and interests.

One of the hallmarks of the SmartUp program is its annual community-facing project. In this project, students partner with a non-profit organization to study the challenges faced by the community it serves. They then form multidisciplinary teams to develop technological solutions that address these challenges head-on. The process mirrors the approach taken by industry engineers when solving real-life problems. Students start by clearly defining the problem, then move on to planning and designing the solution, and finally build a working prototype.

This hands-on experience not only allows students to apply their engineering skills to real-world situations but also fosters a sense of social responsibility and community engagement. Once the prototype is complete, the student teams work closely with their non-profit partner to seek funding opportunities that can bring their designs to full implementation. This collaboration ensures that the solutions developed by SmartUp students have a tangible, lasting impact on the communities they serve.

The SmartUp program offers a unique blend of academic rigor, practical application, and community impact. Students develop a strong foundation in their chosen engineering discipline while also honing their leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. By collaborating with industry partners and working on projects that address real-world challenges, SmartUp participants gain valuable experience and make meaningful contributions to society.

Graduates of the SmartUp program emerge as well-rounded, highly skilled engineers who are prepared to take on leadership roles and drive innovation in their fields. They possess not only technical expertise but also the creativity, adaptability, and social awareness needed to tackle complex problems and make a positive impact on the world.

SmartUp Program

Afeka's SmartUp program is for students who demonstrate outstanding skills, creativity and a willingness to harness technology for leading social change.

  1. 1

    Annual community-facing multidisciplinary engineering project

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    Enriching engineering education with hands-on activity in the field

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    Focus on the real impact potential rather than grades

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    Creative problem-solving for real-word challenges

The Current Endeavor

SmartUp's annual social impact project tackles real community needs. In the shadow of the Iron Swords War, the students met with displaced Kfar Aza residents, one of the villages most traumatized by the Oct. 7th events, in order to understand their challenges.

Leveraging the insight they gathered, multidisciplinary teams of SmartUp students designed innovative technological solutions for restoring the area and bringing residents home.

Aiming to create mobile solutions for residents of Kfar Aza to use away from home but also bring back when possible, the students developed five solutions to provide a sense of home and unity for the displaced. These solutions, currently in the implementation stage with prototypes and simulations already developed, include modular games for children, a technological "Beer-pong" table, and technological solutions involving drinks and foods to connect residents.

To bring these solutions to fruition, the SmatUp team will welcome sponsorships and partnerships that can help create real impact.

Past Initiatives

Solar Fountain

A solar panel tracking the sun to maximize exposure was connected to a pool pump that activated a fountain whose water flow intensified relative to sunlight exposure.

Escape Room for People With Disabilities

Tasks that each focus on a specific movement combine physical therapy treatments with challenging fun.

Playroom Stations for Children Battling Cancer

Technology-based activities for a sterile environment at the "Dream Kindergarten"

Smart River

A simulated a river with and a turbine generating electricity from the water flow that avoids ecological harm while harnessing nature's power

Customized Electric Cars for Children with Physical Disabilities

Toy electric cars were customized to the individual needs of children with limited mobility

VR Ecological Villiage

An interactive virtual reality interface simulating an ecological village for demonstrating the use of renewable energy models

Lifesaving Solutions for Mass Casualty Events

As part of the programs industry meeting and weekly challenges, students developed and presented a mass casualty incident response plan to industry judges.

Strategic Priorities Met

  • Enhancing Engineering Education and the Educational Experience

    Afeka's SmartUp honors program enhances engineering education by providing students with hands-on experience, industry exposure, and the opportunity to tackle real-world challenges through community partnerships.

    Afeka's SmartUp honors program enhances engineering education by provi…

  • Commitment to Inclusion in Quality STEM Education

    This immersive approach to community-facing problem-solving, is a corner-stone to educating well-rounded engineers with a strong sense of social responsibility, and an understanding of how engineering can be harnessed to better lives and improve humanity.

    This immersive approach to community-facing problem-solving, is a corn…

Project Spotlight: The Dream Kindergarten

The 'Dream Kindergarten' in Kfar Azar provides a unique educational and recreational haven for children with cancer who cannot attend regular school due to their medical condition. Managed by the 'Bigger Than Life' association, this vibrant and cheerful space offers a sterile yet joyful environment where children can interact with peers while receiving the necessary medical care and educational support. Through a generous donation from Pheonix Insurance Company, students from Afeka's SmartUp honors program have created several innovative installations for the kindergarten. These installations aim to enhance the children's learning experience and provide a sense of normalcy and fun in their lives. By applying their engineering skills and creativity, SmartUp students have developed engaging and interactive solutions tailored to the specific needs of the children at the 'Dream Kindergarten'. The collaboration between SmartUp, 'Bigger Than Life', and the Pheonix Insurance Company exemplifies the power of partnerships in addressing social challenges. By combining their expertise and resources, these organizations have created a nurturing and stimulating environment that supports the well-being and development of children battling cancer. The installations crafted by SmartUp students not only bring joy and excitement to the children but also serve as a testament to the program's commitment to using engineering for social good. The 'Dream Kindergarten' project is just one example of how Afeka's SmartUp honors program is making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and communities. By fostering a culture of innovation, social responsibility, and collaboration, SmartUp is shaping the next generation of engineers who are dedicated to using their skills and knowledge to create a better world.

Project Partners and Donors

The smartup program annually collaborates with various associations and organizations to implement innovative engineering solutions. We extend our gratitude to our valued partners and donors throughout the years, whose contributions enable the success of our projects.

Help Unlock Futures in STEM

Over the years Afeka has aligned with partners and contributors who share our vision in advancing STEM education and inclusion

We have received deeply appreciated generous donations that have funded student scholarships and non-reusable kits, and subsidized school visits with tremendous impact.

If you are interested in partnering with us or contributing to this or any other Afeka initiative and would like additional information, please fill…

Help Unlock Futures in STEM

Over the years Afeka has aligned with partners and contributors who share our vision in advancing STEM education and inclusion

We have received deeply appreciated generous donations that have funded student scholarships and non-reusable kits, and subsidized school visits with tremendous impact.

If you are interested in partnering with us or contributing to this or any other Afeka initiative and would like additional information, please fill in the form and we will get back to you.

Direct donations (non 501c) can be made to Afeka via bank transfer:

First International Bank of Israel
Eliyahu Beit Tsuri St. 15, Tel Aviv, Israel
246433
IBAN: IL560310820000000246433
SWIFT: FIRBILITXXX