Cracking the Glass Ceiling (Sodkot)

‘Cracking the Glass Ceiling’ is a gender empowerment program for girls, focusing on STEM education, that advances educational excellence in the periphery. The program operates in schools across municipalities, with an emphasis on peripheral towns and cities. ‘Cracking the Glass Ceiling’ increases the number of school girls in advanced STEM studies, who persevere in their education and successfully graduate with a quality Bagrut (matriculation) diploma – the central pathway in Israel to academic education, professional careers and personal and professional self-fulfillment. The program comprises a 5 year process, beginning in the 8th grade and ending with graduation in the 12th grade. ‘Cracking the Glass’ participants are exposed to the academic world and to hi-tech companies, meet inspirational mentors that serve as role models, participate in personal and gender empowerment workshops and receive scholastic support to advance their educational achievements, with a focus on math. The program participants graduate high school with a quality Bagurut diploma; they report increased self-efficacy and high motivation to develop careers in STEM fields. The majority of the program alums serve in the army or in National Service in a variety of meaningful positions and pursue higher education. ‘Cracking the Glass Ceiling’ was established over 12 years ago and includes some 3,000 participants a year.