Fifth- and sixth-grade students across Jerusalem are discovering that technology is not just something they use—it is something they can create. Through the Unicorn Program, operated by the nonprofit Machshava Tova (Good Thought), children in 32 elementary schools across Jerusalem are gaining hands-on experience with innovative digital tools, including virtual reality, world-building, and foundational development skills.
The program is designed to make advanced technology accessible to children from all backgrounds and communities, with schools from Jerusalem’s vulnerable and more affluent neighborhoods participating, as well as the Max Rayne Hand in Hand School, reflecting a citywide effort to broaden opportunity and ensure that every child can engage with the digital future. Delivered as an experiential course, Unicorn exposes students to VR environments and the creation of virtual worlds, while strengthening problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity. These skills support both personal development and early familiarity with fields linked to future advanced employment.
In early February, the program reached a major milestone with a mid-year hackathon for participating elementary-school teams. As part of the mid-year challenge, each group prepared an interactive and enriching project—such as a game, simulation, or other digital experience—showcasing what they had learned so far. The results were impressive: using virtual reality, programming, and artificial intelligence, students designed visions of a future city, combining imagination with thoughtful planning.
The Unicorn Hackathon served as a peak moment in an educational process that encourages creativity, teamwork, and meaningful thinking about the spaces where we live.
Winning schools were awarded a special VR workshop, where Interactive stations equipped with virtual reality headsets will be set up, allowing pupils to experience the winning digital city firsthand and explore additional immersive games and simulations. The workshop will give participants an opportunity to deepen their engagement with virtual reality technology in a fun, hands-on environment.
The Machshava Tova Unicorn Program is supported by the Jerusalem Education Authority and The Jerusalem Foundation. Congratulations to the winning teams—and to all the children who are already building Jerusalem’s future.