Carlos Chacon figures he has been on the UWindsor campus more than most high schoolers, but even so, he had a lot to learn Wednesday during the University’s first Take Our Kids to Work Day program.

“The campus is bigger than I realized,” says the Holy Names grade nine student, son of international student advisor Enrique Chacon. “There is a lot more variety to the different activities going on.”

His father was glad to see Carlos get a clearer picture of what university involves, as well as a better understanding of his own work, but found an unexpected benefit to the program.

“It was neat just to see all the colleagues who have kids the same age as yours,” Enrique Chacon says. “I also enjoyed the chance to eat breakfast and lunch with my son and with my colleagues.”

The event invited UWindsor employees to bring a grade nine student to campus for group activities as well as a chance to job shadow.

“It was a very positive day, thanks to the organizing committee, our partners and sponsors who made this day possible,” says Marcela Ciampa, manager for employee engagement and development in the Department of Human Resources. “The whole organizing team did a wonderful job of making these young guests feel welcome.”

More than 40 youngsters toured nursing labs, programmed artificial life forms, engaged in theatre exercises, built hydrogen-powered model cars and underwent a fitness assessment.

Participant Gavin Scholey, grandson of advisor Marty Lowman in the Student Success Centre, says the day met his expectations: “There were a lot of new things to see and learn.”

See an album of photos from the day on the UWindsor Facebook page.