Interactive Teddy Bear Hospital at DkIT gives hands-on learning to Duleek students
First Class pupils from Duleek Boys National School recently swapped their classrooms for a very special hospital visit and brought their favourite teddies with them.
30 young students visited DkIT for a fun and interactive Teddy Bear Hospital experience, designed to make hospitals feel less scary and a lot more friendly.
Each child had the opportunity to step in to a caring role, helping nurses, midwives, early years educators and scientists examine and treat their teddy bears. From broken bones and sore tummies to worries and anxieties, no teddy problem was too big or small for the DkIT team.
Organised by DkIT’s School of Health and Science, the event offers a hands-on introduction to healthcare in a safe and engaging environment. Along the way, pupils explored the world of science—wearing real lab coats and carrying out simple “blood tests” while learning about infections in DkIT’s state-of-the-art laboratories.
During the visit, the Duleek students rotated through a series of themed stations, including; Teddy Triage, Hospital Ward, Science Lab and Discharge Garden. At each stop, teddies received check-ups such as X-rays, temperature and pulse checks, followed by treatments including bandaging, slings and care plans.
Dr Áine McHugh, Lecturer & Programme Director of the BSc (hons) in Mental Health Nursing at DkIT said:
“It was fantastic to welcome the students from Duleek Boys National School and their cuddly toys to DkIT. The Teddy Bear’s Hospital is a wonderful opportunity to show young children various aspects of a hospital environment, aiming to demystify the hospital experience but also spark early curiosity about careers in healthcare, science and early childhood education- all in a fun and supportive setting."
Dr Orla Sherlock, Outreach Coordinator at DkIT added:
“It’s wonderful to see young children engaging with STEM in such a fun and supportive way, helping to build confidence and curiosity from an early age. Experiences like this show that science and healthcare can be friendly, accessible, and something they can imagine themselves being part of. We hope to welcome some of these young students back to DkIT in the future as they continue their learning journey.”
