Stream restoration project tours were standing room only.

On Apr. 27, under a vivid spring sky, NIH celebrated Earth Day, dovetailing it with Take Your Child to Work Day, an annual event designed to introduce employees' children to science and biomedical research. Strolling through tented booths on the lawn of Bldg. 1, employees along with their kids explored displays on creek protection and restoration, energy conservation, alternative fuel vehicles, radiation safety, waste management, the NIH Bicycle Commuter Club, the Mercury-Free NIH campaign and other environmental protectives. The synergy of the two spring festivals expanded the biomedical focus to include environmental education for kids — and their grownups.

It was a blast.

Dressed in blue scrubs, stethoscope looped around his neck, Kevin Cole accompanied 8-year-old Briahna to the events. A respiratory therapist in critical care, Cole explained why he brought his daughter along: "Other than her begging me to take her? She counted down the days!" he said. She looks up to dad in his work, of course; but his patients in the CC don't include the toads and other critters Briahna examined in the Urban Forest Conservation Plan display, which segued into a tour of the NIH watershed and stream. It's all part of a proactive environmental management system designed to make the agency more Earth-friendly, said Kenny Floyd, director, Division of Environmental Protection, ORF.

Connor (l) and Evan Granrud learn how some bugs are used as water-quality indicators.	Briahna Cole (l), Chanel Allen (c) and Shakia Day make new friends, including toads, tadpoles, mayflies and other pals from the pond.

NIAID's Tom McCarty brought daughter Hannah, age 9, to tour the booths, which included Geiger counters, kids' artwork made from discarded objects, and tips on recycling. "We're going to a presentation, and then I'm taking her up to my lab," he said, noting that while the lab may not always be the safest place for kids, the lawn offered a great place for them to hang out and learn.

Using Geiger counters, kids listen to the pigments in vintage-’50s dinnerware.	A youngster learns how mom can get to work in ways that are Earth-friendly.
	The Mad Hatter (a.k.a. Capt. Ed Rau) presents a sticker for NIH’s mercury elimination campaign to Raiquon Coates and mom Regina.

Meanwhile, Ben Franklin, celebrating his 300th birthday, fielded kids' questions on electricity, while the Mad Hatter, desperately seeking mercury as part of NIH's Hg elimination campaign, paused to offer a cool sticker to 9-year-old Raiquon Coates. His mom, Regina Coates, an administrative assistant in the CC, said: "Raiquon was interested in seeing what I do, what other people do and what methods he could use to deal with pollution, to take care of Earth. And I wanted to give him some insight for a career that he might choose."

Katie Williams and dad Richard show off sculpture she created from recycled materials.	Enjoying Earth Day at NIH are (from l) Kenny Floyd with “IT” contest winners Stacey L. Brown, Kelvin Wilson and Charlie Wainscott; “Mad Hatter” Rau and “IT” (a.k.a. the hoodia) with NIH deputy director Dr. Raynard Kington; NIH Deputy Director for Management Colleen Barros; Juanita Mildenberg, acting director of the Office of Research Facilities; and Ben Franklin (a.k.a. Barry Stevens).

High noon saw the presentation of awards to those who had ID'd the mysterious plant "IT" and why IT makes an important statement about protecting our environment (see sidebar). "I want to know how anyone knew [the contest answer]," joked NIH deputy director Dr. Raynard Kington. He then turned to accept an honor on behalf of the entire NIH community as Emily Pickren of Montgomery County's Office of Recycling presented an award for outstanding achievement in recycling.

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