Whenever we did not have any kids around the table, I need only sit down and start drawing a planet and the kids stop to see what is going on: they seem attracted by a strange guy in a NASA hat who is not a good drawer and speaks terrible Polish. The kids themselves, by the way, often speak pretty good English (this is taught in kindergarden). The parents often wanted to pose with me for pictures. I also spent time talking with potential volunteers about how Planet Head Day works in Maine.
Fundraising in Maine is much different from the US. There is no “walkathon” tradition in Poland and Poles are uncomfortable asking others for individual donations. I have a tough time explaining the PHD idea, as done in Maine. However, Poles seem to relate more easily to this odd scientist who shaves and paints his head as a planet to acknowledge a friend with cancer. The organization uses a video of me dedicating my shaved head to Jeanie McGowan, this not long after she died of cancer, and the Poles love memorials.
I have long been surprised by the number of children who participate in our PHD, and I can see that there will be even more of this in Poland. Informal Science (and Cancer) Education: I love it!