Solving Puzzles with Purpose at 24th Annual MWU Kids Day

Midwestern University welcomed 181 children across both Glendale and Downers Grove Campuses for the annual MWU Kids Day this year. Hosted by the Office of Human Resources, the event gives Midwestern employees the opportunity to bring their children to campus for a day of scientific discovery and fun. 

On both campuses, the day began with breakfast and photos, followed by interactive activities. This year’s theme was “Solving Puzzles with Purpose at Midwestern University,” with activities to demonstrate the types of puzzles their parents and guardians solve in their work at Midwestern. 

In Downers Grove, 99 kids attended MWU Kids Day this summer. They enjoyed hands-on learning at three presentations:

• The Good, The Bad, and The Resistant – An Exploration of Antibiotics and Infectious Disease! In the Microbiology Teaching Laboratory, the kids discovered the difference between types of bacteria and germs.
• Anatomy Adventures – Brains, Bones, and Guts! In this anatomy adventure, they learned how the body functions as one system.
• Air You Ready? Piece Together the Power of Breathing! A workshop for creating their own lung models and learning how lungs work.

At the Glendale Campus this fall, 82 kids participated and explored these interactive presentations:

• Hands-On Learning in Nurse Anesthesia! A glimpse into this exciting healthcare career through practicing intubation on mannequins, seeing an ultrasound of their stomachs, and wearing virtual reality goggles to simulate an operating room.
• A Starfish Discovery with Biochemistry! The kids got to hold and observe the starfish under a microscope and gained experience using laboratory equipment.
• Learning Through Play with Occupational Therapy! Through games and activity stations, they worked on skills like fine motor coordination, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. 

Tamara Turner, Ed.D., OTR/L, Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy – Glendale, has brought her children to participate in Kids Day for years. “I love bringing my kids to Kids Day because they get to discover all the different programs,” she said. Her son shared that he was especially looking forward to the Starfish Discovery with Biochemistry activity this year, since he wants to be a medical scientist when he grows up. 

“I like that it varies each year which programs are highlighted, because then I get to learn something new, too!” Dr. Turner added. “It’s fun to let them explore.”