U of T’s Bring Our Children to Work Day: Sustainability, safety, and inspiring young minds

Kids got in the mix at U of T’s first Bring Our Children to Work Day since the pandemic.

U of T opened its doors on May 2 to the next generation of innovators and leaders.

Organized and coordinated by the Family Care Office, Bring Our Children to Work Day gave children in grades five through eight the chance to experience a day alongside their parents in the University community, sparking curiosity and ambition in fields ranging from law to sustainability.

The day kicked off with an inspiring talk by Susan Debrenici, program lead of the U of T Trash Team, a volunteer group that aims to reduce waste and pollution on campus. In an interactive Q&A, Debrenici shared her journey of becoming a trash specialist, highlighting the everyday inspiration behind her important sustainability work with the trash team (which won a Sustainable Action Award in 2022).

After the talk, kids participated in department tours, getting an up-close and behind-the-scenes look at the many ways the University contributes to knowledge, culture, and community.

Highlights on campus

The Sustainability Office tour campus initiatives with a rooftop visit to see solar panels and a glimpse of the Academic Wood Tower site—a projected academic building made of timber and boasting a lighter carbon footprint. As a prototype for mass timber use, it exemplifies U of T’s leadership in sustainable building practices.

“We want to show that sustainability goes beyond the environment; there’s also a community and social aspect,” says Kaitlyn Myles, sustainability coordinator, who led the tour. “Even if the kids don’t pursue a career in the environmental field, we wanted to show them that sustainability can be integrated in any work that they do.”

The tour highlighted how sustainability is woven into every aspect of our lives—even the windows we look through. Myles explained the importance of bird-safe windows, demonstrating how simple design choices can make a significant difference in protecting wildlife.

The community effort behind campus safety

Community was central to the Campus Safety department tour, led by Communications Operator Jillian Sromek. Children tried on special constable uniforms and participated in a mock crime scene investigation, getting their fingerprints taken and analyzed. The hands-on experience provided insight into the daily work of security personnel.

“Building relationships with the community is essential to our work,” says Sromek. “We want young people to feel safe and comfortable approaching us, knowing we’re here to support them.”

Learning on the job

The afternoon was dedicated to job shadowing, where children accompanied their parents at work, immersing themselves in diverse fields, reflecting U of T’s diverse educational and professional opportunities. Sustainability Office Project Manager Kevin Leong worked alongside his daughter for the afternoon: “It was terrific,” he says. “She’s really interested in computing, and it was inspiring for her to see how I use, interpret, and present data to see patterns that can help make major decisions and have a big impact.”

For Leong and his daughter, the Sustainability Office tour was also a big hit. “It was her favourite part of the day,” he laughs. “It was so valuable for her to see the positive work U of T is doing to mitigate the concerning impact of climate change she’s been learning about in class. It was also a great opportunity to show her the diversity of people I work with across the University.”

“We hope these experiences spark a lifelong passion for learning and discovery,” said Kaye Francis, assistant director of the Family Care Office. “While we’d love for them to consider U of T for their future studies or careers, our ultimate goal is to inspire curiosity and exploration.”