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Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work®
Day
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Registration and excused absence forms and a volunteer schedule will be
posted Spring 2012 for the 20th Anniversary Program.
(What
about the rest of the year? Suggestions for other programs and
on line opportunities).
Career Exploration for kids ages 8-11!
Activities encourage confidence, inquisitiveness,
and resilience through participation in activities that introduce them to
the
br oad range of science-, environmental-, and engineering-based careers
fostered at ESF. Session leaders supervise
experiments or facilitate discussions and role-playing. Invited quests answer questions about what they do
on the job, and why they like to do it.
Many of our students and employees are also active in the larger community,
and sometimes activities feature this aspect of their lives. Members of the ESF community serve as escorts between sessions.
Why daughters and why this age-range?
This national event was launched in 1993 by the Ms. Foundation as a response to studies by
Harvard University, American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the
Minnesota Women's Fund, which indicate that a girl's self esteem, confidence in intellectual development,
and interest in math, science, and technology (and thus their chance at a
variety of future jobs) plummet as they advance toward adolescence.
Other studies have shown that girls are more likely to see themselves
as scientists and engineers when they perceive these fields to be relevant
to their lives. Girls even have fewer fictional role models, as
children's literature and television generally feature boys in the starring
and most other roles (SeeJane.org) or
inappropriate role models (miss
representation).
By encouraging girls to develop an early
interest in careers that require math and science, and ultimately, maintain
that interest as they grow up, we help ensure a more diverse, dynamic, and productive workforce in the future.
Additional findings show that children, both girls and boys, assign gender
to a host of professions, and it is therefore important for
them to interact with female role models, and envision both women and men in
a variety of careers. Former astronaut Sally Ride recommends
introducing girls to women scientists to "allow them to put a
female face on these careers." She also stresses the
importance of involving parents and preventing the perpetuation of stereotypes that
girls are not good at math or science.
We encourage you to look for additional options for
your older or younger child, or for you to arrange to "shadow" you, a
relative or family friend.
Why sons? The
program was expanded in 2003 in response to comments by fathers that they,
too, want balance between work and other aspects of their lives, and the
realization that for girls to reach their full potential in the workplace,
community, and at home, their future coworkers and
partners must be encouraged to do the same.
When? The National
"Take our Daughters and Sons to Work® Day"
is the fourth Thursday in April, and schools are encouraged to build on the
program when kids return to regularly scheduled classes on Friday.
However, ESF's program may be changed to a different date when laboratory spaces are available
or to avoid religious holidays or statewide testing.
What about missing school? School
districts may not recognize this as an excused absence, and you may need to
make arrangements with your child's school. The excused absence form explains
the ESF program, and should facilitate your communication with your child's teacher and/or principal.
What is the program format?
The program is set up kind of like a school day. After you sign
your child into "homeroom", your child will be in "classes" until you (or
someone you designate) sign them out. There are few differences, of
course: we have a heavier focus on science than the average middle school
and make use of working laboratories, kids are escorted between all the
activities, "PE" is focused on healthy work-life or life skills, many parents join their kids in our "lunchroom", and "homework" is voluntary. We
hope that when you and your child discuss the activities, you will complete
an evaluation form that we can use in developing next year's program.
Is there a fee? No.
However, if you can help out by offering an activity, donating materials,
escorting kids to and from sessions, or assist session leaders or planners
that day or in preparation thereof, we welcome
your support.
Sounds great, but I don't have kids.
"Our" daughters and sons includes all the children in
our lives.
So bring nieces and nephews, grandchildren, neighbors and friends, and/or volunteer to
facilitate an activity, escort kids to and from sessions, or to assist a
session leader.
What else do I need to know ?
Space is limited, and registration is required. Registration
forms will be available about one month prior to the program.
It takes a lot of coordination to make sure everyone gets where they need
to be. The registration form includes room for you to let us know when
during the day you can be available to help. This is not required for
your child's participation, but is certainly appreciated by the organizers,
and a fairly unobtrusive way for you to check in on your child during the day.
Lunch is provided. Our regular menu is make-your-own sandwich, chips,
fruit, cookies and juice. For questions about food, contact Diane Kuehn (dmkuehn@esf.edu).
For all other questions, contact: Heather Engelman (engelman@syr.edu).
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What sorts of activities do the kids do?
We feature different
activities each year so that children can try out a broader variety of careers
and healthy lifestyle activities, and to share the benefits, and costs, of the programs across
campus.
2012: activities
tbd
2011:
Introductions were facilitated by Janine DeBaise. Artistic Wax
(using chemistry to make crayons, keeping manufactured pigments, and one
very special naturally derived one-Russian soil--suspended in wax, so its
transferable to paper. Kelley Donaghey and Joy Logan). Sustainable Construction
(Siting buildings correctly helps make the best use of natural light in
windows and solar panels. And the same angle necessary for positioning those
panels was used in the construction of functional sundials. Paul Crovella).
Seed Bombs for Native Plant Biodiversity (compared caterpillar
populations among the different microclimates of the quad, then headed to
the greenhouse to mix potting media and imbed native seed within it in 'seed
bombs' to use in enriching our yards, empty lots, or wherever butterflies
would be welcome. Kathy McGrath and Caterhine Landis). EE Round Robin--the
kids helped the Environmental Interpretation class try out their lesson
plans in population dynamics (Oh, Deer--how do they respond to resource
scarcity?),
mini-herb gardens, and learned about tracks (Beth Folta and class). Forest Health and Management
(what things do foresters and arborists look for in assessing individual
tree health and development? looked at tree cookies, insect and fungal
specimens, and took some measurements, too. Jess Gibson, Jessica
Craft, Colin Bartholomew, and Bill Van Gorp). Bike Safety.Tish
Jubinville from the National Safety Council shared rules for the road,
guidelines for proper helmet use to ensure maximum protection, the
importance of seeing and being seen by motorists, and even a
computer game to test bike safety decision making.
Acknowledgements: We thank Wegmans for
providing lunches and snacks, the International Society of Arboriculture for
temporary tattos, and J.L. Darling for the rite-in-the-rain notebooks, for each participant. Other support from the program came from the Provost's
Office, Alumni Association/Campus Bookstore, Moon Library, Outreach,
Centennial Hall, The Offices of the Vice President for Administration and Communication. We are greatly appreciative of the
departments and individual laboratories for the time and supplies used in
the activities.
2010:
Introductions were
facilitated by Janine DeBaise.
The Chemistry of Art (how does dye work? how do jewelers get those
cool colors of metal? Kelley Donaghy and Julie McGaulley), Tissue
Culture: Plants in a Test Tube (phosphorescent and carnivorous plants,
among others, Linda McGuigan), Engineering in Action: Landfills (how
do civil engineers handle our waste stream? what can individuals do to
make their jobs easier? Jennifer Smith), Paper Making (handcrafted
paper--with some high tech help, Beth Arthur), The Dirt on Worms (various
plants and animals serve as indicators of forest health--conservation
biologists use tools and safety protocols to check out one of those species,
and return it safely back home, Cait Snyder and Stacy McNulty), and African Dancing
and Drumming (local artist Biboti Oukahilo transformed Nifkin Lounge into a
introductory dance studio; everyone had a chance to try the
instruments, as well as to learn one of the dances.)
Kids also witnessed the
Remote
Sensing class attempt to launch a weather balloon from the Quad.
Financial
and other support for the program came from the Provost's Office, Alumni
Association/Campus Bookstore, Moon Library, Outreach, The Office of the Vice President
for Administration and The Office of Communication. We also thank
the departments and individual laboratories for the supplies used in the
activities.
2009:
Dean Cynthia Sedgwick welcomed our kids to campus this year. Kids
then headed to the chemistry lab to investigate polymers (as well as some oxymorons) with
"Bouncing liquids, hard water and ice-less ice cream" (Kelley Donaghy/Julie McGaulley).
They also checked out dilant properties of "Oobleck" (a suspension of
cornstarch in water). Kids conducted a biodiversity survey with a biologist (Melissa Fierke),
and participated in a demonstration of "Losing Your Habit."
In "Engineering a Fountain" (Ted Endreny), they observed the
height of a fountain as the velocity of water and the diameter of
fountain were altered, and then used this information in the preliminary
design of their own fountains. "Bits, Bytes, and Bugs"
demonstrated how viruses and spyware snatch credit card information,
social security numbers, and passwords; slow a computer down, and even
corrupt pictures of Aunt Sue. Finally, kids learned the history of
"Morris Dancing," as well as the songs and steps of two dances with Maria Hosmer-Briggs and others from the
Bassett Street Hounds. Financial
and other support for the program came from the Provost's Office, Alumni
Association/Small Stores, Moon Library, The Office of the Vice President
for Administration and The Office of Communication.
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2008: Introductions were
facilitated by Janine DeBaise.
Kids visited
a botany lab to propagate moss (Shana Gross and Brittany Cronk), Outreach to discuss "food
miles" (Nicole Werner), a chemistry lab to "extract from the environmen t"
(Kelley Donaghy/Julie McGaulley), a soils lab to
get "the dirt on dirt" (Ruth Yanai), the quad/greenhouses to determine "Ladybugs:
friend or foe?" (Melissa Fierke and Terry Ettinger) and
participated in
a "self-defense/cardio-kickboxing seminar" (Marcia
Barber). Financial and other support
for the program came from the Provost's Office, Alumni Association/Small
Stores, Moon Library, The Office of the Vice President for
Administration, The Office of Communication, and Computing and Network Services. Supplies for activities
were courtesy of the Departments of Chemistry, Environmental and
Forest Biology, and Forest and Natural Resources Management.
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2007: Janine DeBaise introduced the program, and facilitated
introductions. This year's sessions included Clean and Green: Household
Chemistry (Becky Jarrell),
Yoga (Mary Hagemann),
Buds and Bugs (an ecotourism hike with Diane Kuehn), Landscape
Architecture (Robin Hoffman), and We all need trees (can you identify
which everyday items use wood ingredients? Many more than most
would expect--Heather Engelman). Who am I?
guests represented a wood decay specialist (Sue Anagnost), a hydrologist
(Laura Lautz) and a environmental writing instructor (Maria
Hosmer-Briggs).
Financial and other support for the program came from the Provost's
Office, Alumni Association/Small Stores, Moon
Library, The Office of Communications, and Wegmans. Supplies for activities
were courtesy of the Faculties of Chemistry and Landscape Architecture.
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2006: Janine DeBaise introduced the program, and facilitated
introductions, asking each participant to tell a little bit about what
they like to do, and what they might like to be when they grow up.
Smaller groups then headed off to lessons in Microbiology (Annette Kretzer),
engineering (The world in maps and images-Lindi Quackenbush),
Information literacy (Internet scavenger hunt-Jo Anne Ellis), and Chemistry (Molecules
in motion-a chemical expedition-Julie McGaulley). Who am I?
guests represented analytical (Deb Driscoll) and environmental chemistry
(Sarah Fitzpatrick). And because we hope our kids have a healthy
work-life balance, they concluded the program with a
cardio-kickboxing/self defense seminar (Marcia Barber, with trusty
assistants Heather Engelman, Andrea Baird, and Tim Blehar).
Financial and other support for the program came from Admissions, Alumni
Association, Computing and Network Services, the Provost's Office, Moon
Library, and News and Publications. Back to Top
2005: Raydora Drummer opened the program with "A cold wind blows",
a diversity appreciation and get-to-know one another activity. The
kids then divided into smaller groups to investigate chemistry (Amusing
Molecules--Julie McGaulley
and States of Matter--Marlene Braun), environmental
law and policy (Pollution Solutions--Sharon Moran and Thane Joyal), and Landscape Architecture
(Playground design--Scott Shannon). Special Who am I? guests Lee MacBeth and Heather LeFever
were quizzed in 20-question style about what they do in the community.
Now that their identities have been revealed by the inquisitive
participants, we can share that Lee
is the Watershed Coordinator for Skaneateles Lake, and Heather is a
volunteer firefighter--she also teaches biology at Henninger High
School.
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2004: Acclimatizing Venus Fly Traps (Linda Polin), Papermaking (Senior
PSE students), Community Design (Ellen Soffa and Scott Shannon), Who am
I? (Sue Senecah, Chris Langlois, Janet Marsden), Fun with Chemistry
(Julie McGaulley)
2003: Microfungus among us (June Wang and Cathy Catranis), The
Wonderful World of Chemistry (Venera Jouraeva), Who am I? (Tory Gray,
Jim Williamson, Karin Limburg, Lisa Engelman), Going the Distance
(Heather Engelman), Down and Dirty (Ruth Yanai)
2002:
The Wonderful World of Chemistry (Venera Jouraeva), Designing
Playgrounds (Amanda O'Connor), Who am I? (Diane Kuehn, Heather Engelman,
Becky Corbin), Chemistry in the Classroom (Andrea Baird), Predators and
Prey (Valerie Luzadis)
2001: Greenhouse (Daniella Shebitz), Smart Spending (Bonnie
Charity), self-defense (Marcia Barber), self-esteem exercises (Carmen McCoy Harrison),
Diversity Bingo (Carmen McCoy Harrison)
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Year-round
or other opportunities for kids
TACNY
Jr. Cafe Scientifique is held
most 3rd Saturdays September through June 9:30-11 at the MOST, Armory
Square, Syracuse. Topics include "All About Submarines: High Technology Under the Seas!" and
"Artificial Intelligence: Can computers really think?"
Free, but
RSVP’s encouraged!
Participants can explore the museum at no cost at the program
conclusion.
For Daughters:
Local opportunities:
Girls
on the Run (grades 3-5) has a local
affiliate at the JCC in Dewitt. Contact:
emily.gannon@girlsontherun.org
Girls Inc.,
offers an annual Girls Summit Career Conference for 5th-10th
graders.
Women and Girls
in Science, Adirondack Ecological Center,
Newcomb, NY. Date tba
Odean, Kathleen. 1997. Great Books for Girls: More than 600
books to inspire today's girls and tomorrow's women. Ballantine trade
paperback. See description at
http://www.randomhouse.com/rhpg/promos/greatbooks/
Great
Science for Girls.
Funded by the National Science Foundation, Great
Science for Girls has seven programs operated by intermediary organizations
to provide informal opportunities for elementary to high school grade girls
to explore science. Some of the programs focus specifically on astronomy,
women scientists, engineering, and scientific inquiry. Visitors can find
basic information about the target audience of the program, the setting, how
long each session takes, and the cost to the organization for materials is
provided in the introduction to each program. The website provides
"Evaluation and Results" and "Materials and Activities" information for each
of the seven curricula, under the "Curriculum" tab. The "Resources and
Research" tab has resources for practitioners, staff, organizations, role
models, and, of course, girls. There is also a section on "Research" that
provides access to documents like the "Status and Participation of Women in
STEM", "Effective Practices in STEM", and "Afterschool Program
Effectiveness". For any educator looking to encourage young women to
discover STEM disciplines, this site is well worth a visit.
[KMG]
New Moon
Magazine
and visit:
www.girlsgotech.org
(Girl Scout program),
http://www.academic.org
(Women's College Coalition),
http://www.sallyridescience.com
("empower girls to explore the world of science...by creating
innovative, science programs and publications.... );
http://www.nnetw.org/ (trades and technology resources); and
http://www.seejane.org
(promotes gender equity without stereotyping in children's programming).
For sons:
Odean, Kathleen. 1998. Great Books for Sons: More than 600
books for boys 2 to 14. Ballantine trade paperback. See description at
http://www.randomhouse.com/rhpg/promos/greatbooks/
Readings about girls and boys in American education:
Gender Gaps: Where schools still fail our children, American
Association for University Women, 1998.
Ong, Walter, 1981. Fighting for Life. Cornell Univerisity Press.
Orenstien, Peggy. 1994. Schoolgirls: young women, self-esteem, and the
confidence gap. Doubleday.
Sadker, Myra and Sadker, David. 1993. Failing at Fairness: How our schools
cheat girls. Touchstone.
Shortchanging Girls, Shortchanging America: A Call to Action,
American Association for University Women, 1991.
If your own career decisions were affected by previous participation
in a Take our Daughters or Daughters and Sons to Work Day program, the Ms.
Foundation would like to hear from you. Please use the link below to
reach their survey.

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DON'T MISS:
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Feb 7, ADVANCE: Transforming Workplace
Culture.
More
Info
Feb. 9, Adaptive Peaks: Marissa Sobolewski-Terry
More Info
Mar 8, International Women's Day
March 22, WISE Professions: Dr. Deborah Delmer, 4 pm, 5 Illick Hall. More Info
April 5, Adaptive Peaks:
Dr. Andreanna King Welch More info
April 17, WISE Professions: Dr. Lilian Alessa,
3:30 pm, Nifkin Lounge, Marshall Hall
More Info
May 10, Kids Day More Info |
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