Photo By Monique Freemon | Resource Management tied a block game to financial management to help students...... read more read more
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea – As students headed into spring break, the U.S. Corps of Engineers – Far East District hosted its second “Bring Your Kid to Work Day” (BYKTWD) event March 26, 2026, at district headquarters located on Camp Humphreys, South Korea.
The event aimed to provide children with an up-close look into their parents’ work in an engaging workplace environment. Also, promote interest in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM); foster a deeper connection between Department of Army employees and Korean Nationals; provide career exploration opportunities for college-bound students and showcase the interconnected and collaborative environment of USACE FED functional areas.
This year an estimated 120 people including children, parents and volunteers participated in the event. Building on feedback from previous year, this year’s BYKTWD introduced new activities and enhancements, making the experience even more engaging for participants.
Ronald Pak, Financial Analyst in Resource Management, and Jennifer Yoon, Chief, Technical Services Branch, Engineering Division, both participated in the event for a second time with their son Logan Pak, 3.
“The activities were catered towards each age group, fun, and enjoyed within the time allocated for each section. The feast at the end was also a great opportunity for a little social get-together and family time. Logan thoroughly enjoyed his little excursion away from daycare,” Pak said.
“[Logan] loved visiting his mom and dad’s offices, meeting their coworkers, exploring the different spaces, and making new friends. All of the activities were well-suited for his age group, and he had a great time participating in everything. He especially enjoyed making slime and watching construction crew videos,” Yoon said.
Attendees participated in lab tours, yoga, and STEAM games and activities. They also tried on safety gear. But ultimately, they were able to see what their parents do and immerse themselves in these environments. One attendee, 9-year-old Madilynn Harris—daughter of DeAnna Harris, a human resources assistant with the Civilian Human Resources Center, Pacific Ocean Division Civilian Personnel Advisory Center—shared her interest in becoming a mechanical engineer and took the opportunity to speak with FED engineers to learn more about the field.
The attendees were placed into six age-based groups led by FED employees and visited six stations created by offices around the district.
Resource Management tied a block game to financial management, while the Executive Office hosted a slime-making station. The Engineering Division had students build boats and offered 3D-printed prizes. Contracting introduced basic negotiation skills by having children draft mock contracts with their parents. Construction featured cup stacking and personal protective equipment demonstrations, while the Geotechnical and Environmental Engineering Branch provided lab tours showcasing how USACE FED tests soil, rock, and asbestos. They even gave younger children a chance to view a spider under a microscope.
“Personally, my son wasn’t initially excited about coming, but by the end of the day, he was so glad he did. He had a fantastic time! The activity he enjoyed most was the slime-making session led by the executive team—he’s still talking about it,” said Sarah Woo, Chief of Engineering Division.
While visiting each activity, the children gained knowledge about each division and selected branches and their roles within the district.
“After the [boat] experiment, some kids asked whether building their boats differently would allow them to hold more weight. That captures the entire purpose of the activity: to help them understand multiple ways to achieve the same goal, depending on their approach. That is what engineering is all about,” said Siranon Shoomee, Technical Lead and Electrical Engineer, Engineering Division, who was a volunteer for BYKTWD.
Shoomee’s activity partner, Amir Mufit, Mechanical Engineer, Engineering Division, volunteered for the “opportunity to introduce kids to engineering in a way that’s fun, interactive and easy to understand.” He stated the activity is a simple, hands-on way to discuss engineering concepts such as “buoyancy, weight distribution and design efficiency.”
“It was great to see them test their designs, make adjustments and try again—just like real engineers do,” Mufit said.
Additionally, each station featured someone who spoke English and Korean to ensure access for kids from throughout the workforce.
“[Logan] hasn’t stopped talking about his parents’ work since and is already looking forward to going back. The staff were exceptional and truly went above and beyond to make the experience memorable for the kids. We’re already excited for next year’s BYKTWD,” Yoon said.
This event is just one of many that FED holds related to STEAM each year to encourage the next generation to pursue careers in the field.
“STEAM events like this are vital because they encourage curiosity, creativity and problem-solving skills at an early age,” Mufit said.
Building on this year’s success, parents and children expressed enthusiasm for its return, and organizers anticipate continued growth in the years ahead.
“I’ve heard a lot of positive feedback. Everyone I spoke with mentioned that they’re looking forward to returning next year,” Woo said.
| Date Taken: | 04.01.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 04.02.2026 03:52 |
| Story ID: | 561798 |
| Location: | CAMP HUMPHREYS, KR |
| Web Views: | 13 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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