How to nurture new Elon Musk in the Classroom?!

The Science Accelerator is an international program of Out of the Box that educates students, (ages 14-18), to become space entrepreneurs. The students develop products that are practical, innovative and scientifically based that will help future Moon and Mars colonizers. The 7-month program is divided into two phases: In the incubator phase the students learn about space, space entrepreneurship, innovative and out-of-the-box thinking that leads them to invent scientifically based, original and innovative ideas. In the accelerator phase the students learn to further develop their ideas. Together with leading mentors from the space industry, they use business methods to create a business plan for their space start-up. Students are required to build a model, using computer programming, 3D printers or robotics. They learn from leading scientists from NASA and other space agencies, space entrepreneurs and business experts. The program uses innovative tools for hybrid learning, and an innovative educational platform for effective teaching that fosters the program ground-breaking pedagogy. The students learn and work with their peers abroad (the program has reached nine different countries so far). The accelerator phase ends with a demo day competition. Students can re-enrol in the program for another year or continue to the advanced program. An accompanying study conducted between 2020-2022, found that the program has an extraordinary effect on the students, (High levels of self-efficacy and psychological empowerment) and recommended to implement the program in schools around the world. The ministry of Education in Israel authorised the program as an alternative assessment to the Israeli SAT.