University of Michigan Health System - Healing through Hands-On Science

What is it?

The University of Michigan Health System’s CS Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital Family Center’s Healing through Hands-On Science is a partnership with the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum to develop and deliver science and health-based activities at Mott Hospital and public programs at the Museum. The objectives of the program are to 1) reduce anxiety and increase confidence and comfort within the health experience; 2) normalize the health experience; and 3) bring the care experience into the community setting for families to explore and learn.

The program benefits patients and their families, including siblings of patients, by providing the kinds of fun, interactive, science-based activities they are missing by being out of school and in the hospital. The program is delivered by museum staff and volunteers twice a month in the Family Center at Mott, as well as on activity carts that visit waiting rooms, clinics, and the Michigan Game Day Experience. There are also four weekend “Super Science Day” programs. These feature ten table-top activities on a variety of science and math topics. In addition, two to three times a year, Mott staff delivers weekend public programs at the Museum. The most popular program is a “Teddy Bear Clinic” where visitors can perform mock surgeries on stuffed animals, facilitated by operating room nurses.

Who is it for?

Area children, both patients and community participants.

Why do they do it?

The program leverages the resources of two well-respected and accomplished organizations who share a commitment to serve children of all ages and abilities.

Impact

The average participation for a weekday outreach program is 24 children and adults including patients, parents, siblings and other family members. The design and implementation of Healing through Hands-On Science is unique in that it combines the elements of a museum experience with developmental aspects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) learning in two different settings. In the hospital setting, anxiety is reduced for patients by discovery, intrigue, and excitement involved in the hands-on activities. Even children who are confined to their room have the ability to participate, which promotes positive emotions and healing. At the Museum, hospital staff and volunteers are able to reach children beyond the four-walls of the hospital to educate and promote discovery about how the body works in a playful setting. Health-based programs at the Museum introduce children to medical procedures in a non-threatening environment. They also provide an opportunity to learn about health care professions.

Contact: Alfreda Rooks
Director, Community Programs and Services
Telephone: 734-998-2156
Email: arooks@umich.edu