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Take Your Child to Work Day: A Step Toward Your Child's Future

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In partnership with the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick, the National Cancer Institute at Frederick (NCI-Frederick) is sponsoring the seventh annual "Take Your Child to Work Day" (TYCTWD) on Wednesday, July 21, 2004.

The first "Children's Day," with 26 sponsored programs, was held on August 13, 1997, for children 8 to 14. The event evolved from a talk Anne Gillen, NIH, gave about NIH's own Take Your Child to Work Day. Kay Kennedy, then an NCI administrative officer, NCI-Frederick, chaired the first planning committee, and Dr. Randall Morin, Environment, Health and Safety Directorate, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., served as co-chair.

In a recent e-mail interview, Joey Romagnoli, a member of the current planning committee and a program sponsor for the Environment, Health, and Safety Directorate, said that Take Your Child to Work Day is "Not just a day with your children, but a step toward their future." The children participate in sessions that, in often humorous as well as serious ways, serve as "eye-openers" to the vital public services the children's families perform here. The organizers hope the children's participation will lead them to consider science-related careers.

Mr. Romagnoli commented, "This one-day event has limited sponsors and overflowing participation but is the highlight of my children's summer. Donning gloves and lab coats seems routine to our facility but brings smiles and closes the age gap with a young scientist. Activities with noisy machines and greasy components may not bring cheers from adults, but stimulate curiosity and invite a child to the fun of getting dirty. It always amazes me how they can find the 'fun' in fungus and the 'Ha' in Hantavirus."

Whether you're in a scientifically oriented program, administrative, or technical support area, you should consider working with your colleagues to sponsor a course for children ages 6 through 13. You would be providing the children with an unusual and positive exposure to science that they're unlikely to get anywhere else. Every year, with increasing enrollment, more sponsored programs and volunteers are needed. People who have participated in past programs state that they found the experience rewarding, even exhilarating.

TYCTWD an Awesome Event

Volunteer Debra Fitzgerald, SAIC-Frederick, Inc., says that "TYCTWD, or what some fondly refer to as 'Science-Made-Fun' Day, is an awesome event." Each year, she helps with "Wind and Wings," during which she teaches children about aerodynamics by having them make and fly their own kites.

It's always hard to put a value on life experiences, but Ms. Fitzgerald noted the following:

"Kite kit and supplies, price: one hour creative experience;

"Volunteers' instructional time, price: one 'work' day spent outdoors with eager, bright children;

"End result-witnessing a child's face light up with pleasure and pride at the kite's successful flight and the child's sudden comprehension of the word 'aerodynamics': PRICELESS."

Many behind-the-scenes employees keep TYCTWD going. Ms. Kennedy and Emily Moler worked together on the program from the first year; Barbara Birnman joined them in 1998. Debbie Guy, who came to the NCI-Frederick in January 1999, continued to support the event after Ms. Kennedy retired in December 1998. Many contractor staffs have supported the event since its start. These include SAIC-Frederick, Inc.'s Facilities Maintenance and Engineering directorate; its Environment, Health and Safety directorate; and its Scientific Publications, Graphics & Media department; Wilson Information Services Corporation's Scientific Library staff; and Data Management Services, Computer Services staff.

You, too, can volunteer to help before or during the day's events in many different capacities; your group, section, lab, or area can sponsor a one-time program or two or more sessions during the day for as few or as many children as your area can handle. You don't have to have elaborate props, costumes, or printouts; in fact, the simpler, the better! Mr. Romagnoli pointed out, "Your support of TYCTWD doesn't need to be big to make a difference."

In a recent e-mail interview, Ms. Moler said that for the first program in 1997, "Registration was done in one morning; employees came in person-stood in line-no computers!" Now, you can sponsor a program or volunteer on-line at: http://kidsday.ncifcrf.gov. Registration opens Wednesday, June 23, 2004.

Things You Need to Know

If you bring your child, remember that you (or a designated, responsible adult) must be with your child at all times, although in some cases, due to limited space, adults may be asked to wait just outside the activity room. Unsupervised children will not be permitted to participate in any of the day's activities.

If your spouse or other family member is bringing a child to Fort Detrick for the events, remember that each person will need 2 picture ID's to enter the base; you will also need to bring a printed copy of the child's scheduled sessions so that you can more easily find the appropriate activity meeting places.

Event organizers will have water coolers and provide first aid, and all activities will begin and end near the Hub, which is located outside Building 426.

Numbered signs matching the activities will be posted in front of Building 560, across the street from the Hub, where an information tent will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Building 426 parking lot. You must meet your escort at the sign for the event no later than 15 minutes before the period's starting time. The escort (more volunteers needed) will lead your group from the Hub to the activity area; if you aren't there at departure time, you won't be able to participate in that event. Transportation will be provided to those activities located a significant distance from the Hub area.

Written by Maritta Grau
Scientific Publications, Graphics & Media
SAIC-Frederick, Inc.
National Cancer Institute at Frederick

Edited by Susan Fox
Office of Communication
Center for Cancer Research (CCR)
National Cancer Institute at Frederick

Photography by Photography
Scientific Publications, Graphics & Media
SAIC-Frederick, Inc.

Some pictures supplied by Emily Moler
National Cancer Institute at Frederick

Web Graphics and Development by Jim Miller
Computer & Statistical Services
Data Management Services, Inc.
National Cancer Institute at Frederick