File:Take our daughters and sons to work day 2014 (14065053601).jpg

NSF celebrated April 24, 2014, as “Take our daughters and sons to work” day with presentations about science and the people who make it happen, hands-on science activities, and photo opportunities showing how much fun science and engineering can be. More than 160 kids between the ages of 8 and 18 participated. In welcoming remarks, NSF Director France Córdova shared with the children what led her to a career in science: “When I was a young girl about your age, a door opened for me. It changed the way I looked at the world and what I eventually decided to do in life. I didn’t know what astrophysics was, but I loved to look at the night sky and ask, ‘Why are there stars? How are they formed? What happens to them? Why are there so many? Why are some very bright, while others are barely visible?’ Asking those questions led me to where I am today. So even though you might not know yet what you want to do in life, keep your ‘door to the future’ open. Follow your dreams and reach for the stars!”