McMaster employees take their kids to work

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/takeourkids04.jpg” caption=”Marvin Gunderman, Department of Biology, displays an assortment of insects to visiting Grade 9 students. Photo credit: Susan Mitchell”]More than 100 Grade 9 students are participating in the tenth annual 'Take Our Kids to Work' day. Of the students visiting today, most of them participated in a morning filled with activities around campus that wraps up with a luncheon in Convocation Hall. The afternoon provides time for the students to job-shadow with their parents or guardians.

The students, along with their parent(s) and guardian(s), assembled in Convocation Hall where the morning began with welcome remarks from Mark Haley, assistant vice-president, Human Resources Services. In his remarks, Haley said, “Thanks for coming to Mac…and we hope to see you in three or four years when it's time for you to attend university.”

This was followed by a talk by Candace Carnahan from the organization Passport to Safety. When Carnahan was in University, she lost part of her left leg due to a workplace accident and has since gone on to become a strong advocate for workplace safety.

Marvin Gunderman from the Department of Biology (known around campus as “The Bugman”) captured the attention of all students with his display of unique insects and spiders, including a tarantula.

The students were provided with two activity options prior to lunch. 'Option 1' involved a tour of some highlights in the Faculty of Health Sciences including the Video Conference area, Clinical Learning Centre and a demonstration of robotics in action in the High Throughput Screening Lab. 'Option 2' included a tour of the Nuclear Reactor and demonstration in the Planetarium. All students received a tour of the campus conducted by the Office of Student Liaison before returning for lunch. After lunch students will have a chance to chat with Lisa Boniface of Career Services, and one of McMaster's star football players, Kwame Aidoo.

Dorrett James of the Faculty of Health Sciences welcomed the students
back from their tours. Later, she remarked: “this program is the result of dynamic and functional collaborations across the University. The hard work of these dedicated people means that McMaster University has a 'Take Our Kids to Work' program that, at the very least, matches what is being done by other large employers.”