/ en /news/2026-05/take-your-junior-patriot-work-day-was-action-packed-and-kid-approved <span>Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day was action-packed and kid-approved</span> <span><span>lclarkg</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-05-07T09:43:32-04:00" title="Thursday, May 7, 2026 - 09:43">Thu, 05/07/2026 - 09:43</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2026-05/260423509.jpg?itok=gxyRanz3" width="1480" height="987" alt="Child plays on a colorful parachute on Merten Lawn" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day is an annual tradition at 91°µÍř. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding</figcaption> </figure> <p><span class="intro-text">91°µÍř welcomed 262 “Junior Patriots” and their families for Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day at the Fairfax and Mason Square campuses on April 23. The day kicked off with music and dancing by the Green Machine, a visit from the Patriot mascot, and the Junior Patriot Palooza on Merten Lawn, hosted by Human Resources.</span></p> <hr> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2026-05/260423512.jpg?itok=LYLtY95I" width="1480" height="987" alt="Child smiles and waves from the roof hatch on a SWAT vehicle" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>The Touch a Truck event is always a hit. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding</figcaption> </figure> <p>With 45 hands-on activities, junior Patriots visited campus departments and offices to explore robotics, emergency preparedness, and video game design, watched K-9 and drone demonstrations from George Mason Police, and took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Center for the Arts.&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2026-05/260423511.jpg?itok=qk0qpfGV" width="1480" height="987" alt="Child wears a pretend fire fighter hat with a fire engine in the background" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding</figcaption> </figure> <p>Active events included blending smoothies on Mason Dining’s blender bike, and climbing aboard fire, police, and SWAT vehicles at the popular Touch a Truck event.</p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2026-05/260423504.jpg?itok=GHG1sh6d" width="1480" height="987" alt="Mother and daughter sit on Merten Lawn playing a game" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding</figcaption> </figure> <p>Creativity and play took center stage with crafts, pickleball, story time with University Libraries, scavenger hunts, mock courtroom visits, dance classes, lawn games, and more—offering a dynamic mix of learning, movement, and fun.</p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2026-05/260423510.jpg?itok=PFHRmZ1p" width="1480" height="987" alt="Children play with a parachute on Merten Lawn" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding</figcaption> </figure> <p>Thank you to the campus partners whose creativity and commitment made the day such a success.</p> <p>Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day will return on Thursday, April 22, 2027. Interested in hosting an activity? Contact <a href="mailto:engagehr@gmu.edu">engagehr@gmu.edu</a>.&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2026-05/260423500.jpg?itok=IGdfgK0X" width="1480" height="987" alt="Father and son play a game on Merten Lawn" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding</figcaption> </figure> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2026-05/pxl_20260423_143521524.jpg?itok=flcDVdc9" width="1480" height="1212" alt="Children listen to storytime on the plaza at Mason Square" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Storytime on the plaza at Mason Square. Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2026-05/pxl_20260423_150716217.jpg?itok=rsBjzGZX" width="1480" height="907" alt="Mason Police staff member shows children how a drone works" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>George Mason Police shared a drone demonstration at Mason Square. Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p>&nbsp;</p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2026-05/pxl_20260423_153548308_0.jpg?itok=zo5RbbqI" width="560" height="530" alt="Child wears judge's robes in Moot Court room" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Moot Court at Mason Square. Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="de64c422-44c9-4c3f-a05f-2cddd2f438d3"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://hr.gmu.edu/take-your-junior-patriot-to-work/"> <p class="cta__title">More about Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </p> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="5731bb76-9129-4e35-8488-35f396648b0e" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Read More Like This</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-1bb3d4c709544d4cb726d8e1b0c14c242d56d423ef998714c66bbcc3d172a41c"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2026-06/george-mason-announces-faculty-affairs-appointments-korea-and-fairfax" hreflang="en">George Mason announces faculty affairs appointments in Korea and Fairfax</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">June 3, 2026</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2026-06/cio-charmaine-madison-honored-cloudforce-change-champion-award" hreflang="en">CIO Charmaine Madison honored by Cloudforce with Change Champion Award </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">June 3, 2026</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2026-06/academic-advising-awards-recognize-outstanding-undergraduate-advisors" hreflang="en">Academic Advising Awards recognize outstanding undergraduate advisors</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">June 2, 2026</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2026-06/aquanetta-betts-june-employee-month" hreflang="en">Aquanetta Betts is June Employee of the Month</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">June 1, 2026</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2026-05/take-your-junior-patriot-work-day-was-action-packed-and-kid-approved" hreflang="en">Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day was action-packed and kid-approved</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">May 7, 2026</div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17986" hreflang="en">Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17671" hreflang="en">Human Resources</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/206" hreflang="en">Faculty and Staff News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/15406" hreflang="en">Mason Square</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1246" hreflang="en">Police and Public Safety</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> </div> <div> </div> </div> Thu, 07 May 2026 13:43:32 +0000 lclarkg 345814 at /news/2023-05/take-your-junior-patriot-work-day-offered-chance-learn-about-work-and-play <span>Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day offered a chance to learn about work—and play</span> <span><span>lclarkg</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-05-11T10:53:27-04:00" title="Thursday, May 11, 2023 - 10:53">Thu, 05/11/2023 - 10:53</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text">91°µÍř faculty and staff were invited to bring the children in their lives to campus for Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day on April 27. </span></p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2023-05/_DSC0079%281%29_0.jpg?itok=70WRbNwN" width="1480" height="987" alt="A group of about 30 employees and their children stand together at the George Mason statue on Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day." loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day. Photo by Carl Julin/Creative Services</figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><span>In this collaborative event organized by Human Resources and campus partners, the “Junior Patriots” got to experience life on a university campus and find out what it’s like to work at Mason for a day.</span></span></span></p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2023-05/bear.jpeg?itok=eFzBdLDn" width="420" height="560" alt="A child stands on the Fairfax Campus near the fountain on Wilkins Plaza. He has a teddy bear sticking out of his backpack." loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Photo by&nbsp;Kristine Gussow</figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><span>Attendees chose from a variety of activities to fill their day, with options at the Fairfax and SciTech campuses, as well as Mason Square. </span></span></span></p> <p><span><span><span>Activities included a visit to the library, a meet-up with student athletes, a campus tour, playing games at Corner Pocket, learning about different careers with University Career Services, decorating the George Mason statue, and more.</span></span></span></p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2023-05/IMG_0823%20%281%29.jpg?itok=nFmbtkmF" width="560" height="395" alt="Three adults and one child look down at the construction site of Fuse at Mason Square from a nearby parking garage." loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Checking out the construction site of Fuse at Mason Square. Photo by Buzz McClain</figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><span>A view of the construction site for Fuse at Mason Square gave kids and parents an opportunity to get a closer look at construction in action. </span></span></span></p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2023-05/Dining%20Hall.jpg?itok=XleRorZz" width="560" height="441" alt="Three children sit at a table for lunch in Southside dining hall." loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Lunch at Southside dining hall. Photo by Jennifer Sawyer</figcaption> </figure> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2023-05/Jacelyn.jpg?itok=dpXtADKM" width="420" height="560" alt="Mason staff member Jacelyn Tyson and her child participate in a craft activity at Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Making a zine at Fenwick Library. Photo by Jacelyn Tyson</figcaption> </figure> <p><span><span><span>The variety of events gave the children a chance to picture themselves in lots of different career paths.&nbsp;</span></span></span><span><span><span><a href="https://hr.gmu.edu/take-your-junior-patriot-to-work-day-2023-recap/">Read more about Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day</a> and the faculty and staff who made it happen.</span></span></span></p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/2023-05/Makerspace.jpg?itok=sA2cKyuK" width="560" height="420" alt="Two children stand together at the entrance to The Mix" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Participants check out The MIX. Photo by Jamie Lee</figcaption> </figure> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/206" hreflang="en">Faculty and Staff News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/16026" hreflang="en">Picture This</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17671" hreflang="en">Human Resources</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/11641" hreflang="en">Children and Youth</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17986" hreflang="en">Take Your Junior Patriot to Work Day</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Thu, 11 May 2023 14:53:27 +0000 lclarkg 105341 at