SCIENCE MAGIC in the HOSPITAL
Coordinator: Dr. Ida Babayev
 Every social group has members who love to contribute to the community. Some of HEMDA’s students have chosen to participate in the “SCIENCE MAGIC in the HOSPITAL” Project, volunteering to amuse children who are hospitalized in the Dana Children’s Hospital, part of the Ichilov General Hospital – Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. HEMDA volunteers use the “magic” of chemistry and physics to entertain the ill children.
In one of the students’ own words, from the website:
“For many of us, just hearing the word ‘hospital’ arouses associations of fear, and unpleasant or uncomfortable memories. But for a group of HEMDA students, a group I am privileged to be part of, the word is not a threat, but the opposite. Last year, I volunteered to visit the Dana Children’s Hospital once a week, at the Tel Aviv Medical Center. During each visit, we held demonstrations of chemistry or physics experiments for the kids. We didn’t prepare any complicated tricks, but experiments that were simple but exciting. We were trying to amuse the kids and make them happy. We had to prepare the experiments and carry them out, get the equipment together and plan our ‘performances.’ When we arrived at the hospital, we would go up to the beds in twos and threes, putting on our science shows. We went from room to room that way, but sometimes kids who could get out of bed would gather around us in a little group. They asked questions and were interested in the scientific explanations. Others helped us carry out the demonstrations, while some just had fun watching us. They were fascinated by the “magic” that we prepared by ourselves. The parents and staff always welcomed us warmly and enthusiastically. When we finished the visit, we were usually wiped out from emotions and pressure, but we really did feel that we had contributed a bit to the children who were bedridden. We felt that we had enriched them with our talks about chemistry and physics. The activities are continuing this school year too. Just one hour of our lives each time – it’s really worthwhile!”
--Tal Laufer, Alliance High School, on behalf of the group
Volunteering in groups every Monday from 4 p.m.-6 p.m., according to the time schedule set by the volunteers. We train you, and you have to give only 2-3 days per year of your time.
Current Grade 12 students who were part of last year’s team as 11th graders will be continuing the Magic Project this year, as well. Contact them to coordinate your volunteer time.
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