Science Comes to Life With Fitbits, Smoothies and Twizzlers
Every spring, on the fourth Thursday of April, workplaces across the country open their doors a little wider — and their hearts a little fuller — for Take Your Child to Work Day. This year, at Moffitt Cancer Center, that spirit came to life in the most energetic way imaginable.
About 20 children filled the Population Engagement and Research Laboratory conference room with excitement as the Non-Therapeutic Research Office and the Office of Research Career Development hosted a day packed with hands-on learning and laughter. The morning began with a quick rundown of expectations: listening ears, no running and definitely no touching anything in the labs … met with giggles and eager nods.
Then came the first challenge: Each child was fitted with a Fitbit to track their steps throughout the day. What followed was a friendly competition that kept everyone moving from room to room with playful determination.
Learning at Moffitt didn’t stay behind desks. In the research kitchen, kids sampled smoothies and oat flour and dark chocolate cookies while discovering how nutrition supports patients — even from home.
Twizzlers, Gummy Bears and More, Oh My
Nearby, science came alive through hands-on fun. The junior researchers strung bead bracelets to model DNA base pairs and watched UV-sensitive beads change color to learn about skin cancer. They twisted Twizzlers and gummy bears into double helixes to explore DNA’s structure and peered through microscopes to investigate different types of cells.
“Don’t eat the DNA!” one child laughed, as another carefully assembled their candy helix — though not without a little sympathy for the gummy bears involved.
Curiosity carried through every stop. Matthew Schabath, PhD, of the Cancer Epidemiology Department led an engaging session on the lungs; what they do, how diseases like lung cancer develop, and even a few memorable life lessons (including why dogs should never eat grapes). His question, “Has anyone seen an ashtray?” was quickly topped by a child’s reply: “I’ve seen an astronaut!”
The group also visited the lab of Anna Giuliano, PhD, founding director of the Center for Immunization and Infection Research in Cancer, to learn about groundbreaking research on Human papillomavirus (HPV) and its connection to cancer, including efforts that helped expand vaccine access.
Active Learning on a Whole New Level
The day wrapped up in the Population Engagement and Research Laboratory exercise oncology gym, where children tried leg presses and resistance bands, learning how movement can support patients before and after treatment, an idea that tied neatly back to their step challenge. Roman took first place with 6,667 steps, followed by Reed and Sydney.
Throughout the day, kids explored everything from hazmat safety — complete with suits reminiscent of “Monsters, Inc.” — to lab tools, research models and even the building’s underground pathways. Their thoughtful, sometimes surprising questions about cancer research and the world around them proved that curiosity has no age limit.
By day’s end, each child received a certificate of completion, marking not just a day away from school, but a day spent stepping into the future.
More than anything, the event reflected the culture at Moffitt: innovative, collaborative, caring and full of hope. And if the energy and insight of these young visitors are any indication, the future of science is very bright.
