Around 200 students from the Ron Vardi Municipal Center for Excellence in Rishon Lezion took part in “Shark Day” – a young innovation showcase that provides a platform for future entrepreneurs. The children, who have been studying at the center since kindergarten, were grouped by age from third to ninth grade. Among the developments presented were some particularly moving ones, including a “mini-tank” created by 10-year-olds Dror Hatav and Maya P., driven by a desire to develop a solution to protect soldiers in the field.
“Our fathers serve in the permanent army. Dror’s dad is fighting in Gaza, and my dad has a classified role,” says Maya. “We thought – if there are drones that protect pilots, why not have a tank without a soldier inside?”
The two designed a robotic vehicle controlled remotely via a mobile phone connected by Bluetooth to a digital control board. The propulsion system is based on a simple mechanism called a “helix” – a mechanical component that spins and moves a rubber band simulating the firing of a shell.
“The most fun part was planning it together and imagining how it could actually save lives,” says Dror. “We learned how an idea becomes something that works – it was a challenging and emotional journey.”
Another standout project was a prototype of a remotely operated robotic hand, created by sixth-grade students Itay Gatner Ingerman and Maya Kutel as part of a robotics course. They said: “We saw news reports about soldiers who lost arms and legs, and we looked for a way to help them regain some independence.”
The hand they developed performs basic movements like grasping, opening, and closing using a remote control. They already announced that their next goal is to develop more precise control. “This work taught us the meaning of determination and hope,” they said.
Rishon Lezion Mayor Raz Kinstlich, who attended the event, said: “These children are proof that when given the right tools, they can change the world. I’m proud to see how the city’s students turn abstract ideas into tangible solutions with immense human value.”
Among other innovations presented by the students were an AI-powered app that detects emotions based on tone of voice and facial expressions, a system that identifies emotions in text messages, a robot that teaches languages in disaster-stricken areas, a sensor-based smart drinking system, an automatic blanket for amputees, and an avatar that explains the situation of the hostages in Gaza on social media.