Healing and Hope Through Science

Our program provides engaging, hands-on, natural science programs to young hospitalized patients at Duke and UNC children’s hospitals.

Our hope for this project is to help provide support for the children’s emotional well-being and education by engaging them in activities that nurture their curiosity about the living world.

See the News & Observer's Tar Heel of the Week profile of program coordinator Katie Vogel from Oct. 11, 2009. Also, read a Dec. 8, 2006, front page article from The Herald-Sun.

Program Information

Healing and Hope Through Science brings hands-on science classes, one-on-one instruction and student-written Nature Newsletters to young patients. We coordinate our programs with the Duke Hospital School and UNC Hospital School. The program has served more than 400 patients since June 2006.

Statement of Need

Children in stressful hospital environments improve when they have access to “positive, productive activities that allow the child’s direct involvement in a variety of sensory experiences.” (Jesse et al., 1986)

Funding Information

Healing and Hope Through Science is currently being funded by a generous grant from The Oak Foundation, as well as an additional Kids Care grant from The Children’s Miracle Network for programming at Duke Children’s Hospital. We are seeking additional funding.

For more information, please contact program coordinator and educator Katie Vogel at (919) 668-3694 or via e-mail.

For more information and a video about the program, please go to
http://www.healingandhopethroughscience.org.

Duke Pediatric Visits

Duke Gardens volunteers make monthly visits to Duke Medical Center Children’s Hospital. They take botanical activities to children waiting for appointments and treatments in the hospital. Families and siblings of patients often participate and enjoy these visits.