In its second year, Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work Day will be observed on campus and at the UC Davis medical center Thursday, April 22.

The national event evolved from the Ms. Foundation's Take Our Daughters to Work Day, promoted initially by Ms. Magazine starting in 1993. The program proved popular and was expanded to include sons in 2003. The program is aimed at kids ages 8-12.

The foundation reports that a poll conducted on the 10th anniversary of Take Our Daughters to Work Day found that the program "increased girls' interest in education, influenced their decision to go to college or professional school, and broadened girls' thinking about their goals and aspirations with reference to work opportunities."

When "Take Our Daughters to Work" first started a decade ago, UC Davis faculty members, the Women's Resources and Research Center and Human Resources joined together to coordinate campuswide activities, said Dennis Shimek, senior assistant vice chancellor of Human Resources. A few years ago, the campus began leaving it up to individual units to decide what activities they would support and participate in, he said.

Traditionally held on the fourth Thursday in April, the program has, in recent years, found youngsters taking trips to the fire and police departments, as well as discovering parents' workplace settings and duties. The program gave sons and daughters a sense of what Mom and Dad do when they're not at home -- and the significance of that work.

This year, the national program asks participants to dig a little deeper. Carrying the theme "Today's Vision, Tomorrow's Reality," students across the nation will be asked to talk about how they envision their future home and work lives and what it means for them to achieve their full potential.

Also new this year, Ms. Foundation is promoting a judged event -- the "Framing Your Wish" contest -- in conjunction with the observance. Girls and boys will be asked to create a poem or drawing that reflects their wishes and hopes for their future work life or family life. Across the nation, 10 winners will be selected -- five for their poetry and five for their drawings -- and awarded $100.

Shimek said he plans to soon distribute a directive to campus staff and faculty members, welcoming them to bring their children to work April 22. "We encourage participation," he said.

At the medical center, activities will be more centralized, and staff members are sought to help plan activities. Those who would like to participate, should contact Marcia Hartman at (916) 734-7310 or mbhartman@ucdavis.edu.