Tikkun Olam

Hillel Day School eighth-grade students are making a huge, real-life difference for pediatric cancer patients as a result of a new elective class this year. Students who selected the Tikkun Olam (Hebrew for repairing the world) class as one of their STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, art, and math) elective rotations were asked to identify a real life problem and through the design thinking process, create a working, empathy based solution to that problem. The class wanted to work towards helping pediatric cancer patients feel safe and comfortable as they go through treatment. Through the design thinking process, students designed prototypes for a pediatric cancer patient care package and met with the family of a pediatric cancer patient to learn about their experience.

The end result is age-appropriate backpacks that contain a variety of comforting and fun items selected, purchased, and, in some cases, made by the students, including comfy blankets, stuffed animals, books, and a handwritten note with inspirational messages from the class. The class has already packaged 30 backpacks with the hopes of creating more and delivering them to pediatric patients in February for Cancer Awareness Month.