More than 70 youth turn out for Take Our Children to Work Day!
Jefferson Lab staff members welcomed more than 70 of their daughters and sons to the Lab's annual Take Our Children to Work Day on April 27. The special day is in honor of National Take Our Daughters to Work Day. The Lab has participated in this event for several years, according to Jan Tyler, event co-chairwoman.
Lab youth take a moment for a
photo during the TOCTWD laser
and plasma demonstration
"We're delighted to have this opportunity to show off the Lab to our children," Tyler said of the event. "This year we planned a series of mentor visits and a couple special activities for our participants. We hope everyone visiting us discovered something new about science, and learned about a new career field." "There are always neat things going on at the Lab, and TOCTWD gives us the chance to share the excitement and challenges with our families," she continued. This year's group ranged in age from eight to 13 years-54 girls and 17 boys. For a number of the youth this was a return visit to the Lab for TOCTWD, so event planners worked extra hard to provide the youth with a variety of mentors and work area stops for their half-day visit. The event started in the VARC with refreshments and an official welcome by Pat Morton, the Lab's Employee Relations manager.
Instead of the well-known cryogenic demonstration (with liquid nitrogen), students participated in a laser and plasma activity with Lisa Surles-Law, Education technician. The demo was the highlight of the event for many of the children.
After breaking up into eight groups, the students headed out across the campus with their escorts. Each group-named after an elementary particle of matter-visited four different mentors/work areas. They ended the morning back at the VARC, then dispersed to have lunch with their parents. "A special thanks to all of the volunteers who made this day a success," Tyler commented. "We had a great group of mentors and escorts." Tyler asks Lab staff with ideas for next year's mentor/work area visits to e-mail her at tyler@jlab.org.
Editor's note: There are extra copies of the TOCTWD newsletters put together by the Electrons, Bottom Quarks, Strange Quarks, and Charm Quarks. Anyone wanting a copy may e-mail debbie magaldi (magaldi@jlab.org) - please specify which group newsletter you'd like a copy of.
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