ARECIBO, P.R. -- For the first time since the creation of Bring Your Child to Work Day, a group of Arecibo Observatory parents in Puerto Rico did just that April 27.

The initiative provided an opportunity for children to attend their parents' workplace and learn about career opportunities at the radio telescope. A group of 23 children, ages 2-16, attended a number of activities hosted by the Arecibo Observatory's Office of Human Resources.

"This event, besides bringing our kids the opportunity to visit their parent's working areas, was an enriching learning experience that opened the children's eyes to a new world of opportunities," said María Judith Rodríguez, head of human resources, who welcomed the parents and children at a sponsored breakfast to start the day.

Then, the group learned about the Arecibo Observatory at the Angel Ramos Foundation Visitor Center. José Alonso, educational officer and head of the center, discussed the radio telescope and the solar system, and the children participated in a coloring activity on the planets and the telescope.

The group then toured the observatory, where José Jiménez, maintenance head of the machine shop, described the jobs in his area and what tools, equipment and skills they require. At the business department, they learned about recycling from Business Manager José Cordero. Under the reflector, the children donned hard hats and learned about the support system under the world's largest reflector from telescope engineer Felipe Soberal.

Afterward, they visited the electronics department, where engineer Joe Greene explained how radio waves are generated by the transmitter and collected by the receivers. In the control room, telescope operator William Torres showed the children the camera systems used to monitor receivers and track telescope movements. The children also observed the radar's azimuth movement.

The opportunity to visit the Arecibo Observatory allowed many of the children to appreciate the diversity of professions that make possible the operation of the world's largest radio telescope and its research center.

"This is also an opportunity to strengthen our ties with the local community and foster our employee relationships," commented Alonso.

Arecibo Observatory is managed by the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center at Cornell for the National Science Foundation.