Bringing Science to Life: TEACH’s Hybrid Event at Cohen Children’s Hospital
On January 27, 2025, TEACH, in collaboration with Hofstra Medical Student Volunteers and the ZSOM Project TEACH Leadership Team, hosted an engaging hybrid science fair at Cohen Children’s Hospital (Northwell). This incredible event combined hands-on STEM activities with a virtual broadcast to ensure that hospitalized children, regardless of their location within the hospital, could participate in the fun.
A Science-Filled Afternoon
From 2:00 to 4:00 PM, TEACH volunteers set up interactive booths featuring four exciting STEM modules:
Structural Engineering – Encouraging kids to build and experiment with different materials.
Summer Snowman – A sensory-rich activity that lets children create “snow” in any season.
Marble Paper – A colorful and creative way to explore fluid dynamics and art.
Rain Cloud in a Cup – A hands-on weather experiment using shaving cream and food coloring to demonstrate cloud formation and rainfall.
The event provided a unique opportunity for hospitalized children to explore STEM in an engaging and supportive environment. Kids loved getting their hands messy, particularly with the rain cloud in a cup and marble paper activities. One patient took creativity to the next level by using food coloring and shaving cream to create a custom paint mixture—showcasing just how much innovation and joy these projects inspire.
Reaching Even More Young Scientists
While approximately 10 children attended in person, many more tuned in through a live broadcast from Seacrest Studio, where volunteers demonstrated each experiment on-screen. This hybrid approach ensured that children unable to leave their rooms could still experience the magic of science.
Recognizing an Impactful Day
The Director of Cohen Children’s Medical Center, Cindy Rodriguez, was deeply moved by the dedication and enthusiasm of the Project TEACH Team and other volunteers, later sending a heartfelt thank-you letter in appreciation of their efforts.
Looking Ahead
This event was a shining example of TEACH’s mission—bringing hands-on, engaging educational experiences to children in hospitals. With no critiques or suggested improvements (just a friendly warning to be ready for a little mess!), the success of this event sets the stage for even more impactful programs in 2025.
We are incredibly grateful to our volunteer medical students, and hospital partners for making this event possible. Stay tuned for more TEACH events that continue to bring joy, learning, and creativity to children in hospitals!
Want to get involved? Support TEACH’s mission by volunteering, donating, or spreading the word!
