NEW YORK – Carmel Academy in Greenwich was among 10 Jewish day schools that in January competed in an interschool virtual competition testing students’ teamwork and problem solving skills focused on the topic “The Science of Soda”. The competition was part of the Excellence 2000 (E2K) program sponsored by the Center for Initiative in Jewish Education (CIJE).

Taking first and second place, respectively, in the 7th Grade Science Virtual Activity were Solomon Schechter of Queens and Manhattan Day School.  Rabbi Pesach Raymon Yeshiva, in Edison, N.J. Other schools that competed were Pesach Raymon Yeshiva in Edison, N.J., Yeshivat Noam, in Paramus, N.J., The Moriah School, in Englewood, N.J., Westchester Day School in Mamaroneck, N.Y., the Donna Klein Jewish Academy in Boca Raton, Fla. and YBH-Hillel of Passaic, N.J.

During the science activity, students conducted a series of experiments and answered questions focused on soda, using interactive technology to see the instructions on screen as they communicated with the activity moderator in Israel. Developed in Israel and optimized for the American student, the E2K program is now in approximately 70 schools across the U.S. The CIJE Excellence 2000 program has more than 130 master teachers who nurture students’ creativity and critical thinking and encourage day school students to embrace math and science.

“This is one of the many competitive activities in the Excellence 2000 program that are based on fundamental STEM and core curriculum, but presented in an engaging and exciting way,” explains Jason Cury, president of CIJE. “We now have a waiting list for schools to implement this 21st century math and science curriculum, but need more support to underwrite these programs.