Our Stories

Following the tragic events of 10/7, many asked themselves what they could do to help—but MILTON educators Melinda Viteri and Chaya Shinensky moved beyond this thought process to action. Seeking to use their talents for good, Melinda approached MILTON leadership to ask about bringing their Aerospace Camp program (which has completed seven summers in DC and two in Los Angeles) to Israel in order to give back to communities impacted by the attacks. Through this true community effort, and thanks to the support of the school and a generous anonymous grant, Melinda and Chaya were able to travel to Israel this past July.

Not only did these talented educators bring their acclaimed program to Israel, they gave their Israeli students a welcome respite and a powerful moment to view themselves as leaders in science and technology.

Read highlights from their Aerospace programming in Israel below, written by Melinda Viteri:

Carasso Science Museum Youth STEM Leadership Workshop

We arrived at the Carasso Science Museum in Be’er Sheva bright and early at 7:00 AM, bringing with us a wealth of resources from the United States, packed into extra-large suitcases. The day commenced with an energizing breakfast, where we connected with 30 enthusiastic high school leaders. We then led the students in a STEM workshop, which equipped them with the skills and confidence to independently lead engaging aerospace activities for visiting campers. 

By noon, these motivated teens successfully facilitated a space camp throughout the museum, engaging and inspiring 250 local campers aged 6 to 12. Activities included Alka-Seltzer rockets, parachute landings on the Aldrin Foundation moon mat, and robotics with Spheros and Ozobots. 

The day wrapped up with a reflective session that included feedback, a Q&A, and discussions about career paths in aviation, robotics, and coding—empowering these students as future leaders. To support future learning opportunities and propel the next generation’s engagement in science, we donated Ozobots and essential STEM supplies to the museum.

Students leading aerospace camp sessions.

Melinda and Chaya with all 30 student leaders.

Aviation STEM Workshop in Petah Tikva

In Petah Tikva’s newly established makerspace resource center, we hosted an engaging aviation-themed STEM workshop. This initiative aimed to inspire and educate high school girls from the Petah Tikvah community through hands-on experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Melinda conducted a helicopter workshop where students engineered various propeller designs, and Chaya led a workshop using robotics to simulate flight patterns to better understand the role of air traffic control and the fundamental forces of flight. Participants also tested out flight simulators. We shared personal stories of our journeys in aerospace careers, from learning to fly airplanes to working as NASA STEM educators, with the workshop participants. These narratives served to motivate students and highlight the diverse opportunities available in the aviation and aerospace industries for girls.

Students test out a flight simulator and experiment with Ozobots.

Melinda and Chaya with workshop participants.

Astronomy Event in Northern Israel

We also worked in partnership with KKL-JNF to present a captivating astronomy program in Northern Israel. The event unfolded against the stunning backdrop of a sunset hike overlooking the Kinneret, transitioning into a glow-in-the-dark demonstration that elucidated the relationship between the sun, moon, and Earth. 

The highlight of the evening was a stargazing experience where families were treated to a guided tour of the night sky. Using laser pointers, Sheirut Lumi educator volunteers highlighted key constellations, simulated a landing on Mars, and shared insights into the history of astronomy and the significance of celestial mapping throughout time. Approximately 30 families attended, enjoying a hands-on opportunity to explore the wonders of space science.

This was Melinda’s first visit travelling through Israel—while she had taken a beach vacation to Eilat when she was young, she had never experienced the full country before and looks forward to returning. Melinda and Chaya also met with numerous colleagues throughout Israel including the Ilan Ramon Foundation and The IDF Widows & Orphans Organization and are excited to continue building connections with all of the organizations they worked with. If you want to learn more about their visit or the aerospace program at MILTON, please reach out to Chaya and Melinda.

Other moments from Chaya and Melinda’s travels.