Mouse Mommy Treats

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Sdn Bhd (GSK) opened its doors to its employees’ children for the second year in a row, as part of the company’s participation in the worldwide celebration of this year’s Children’s Day which saw more than 70 children of GSK’s employees being teleported into the world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S.T.E.M.).

Themed ‘GSK’s S.T.E.M. Discovery Day’, the children were provided with the opportunity to accompany their parents to work and to gain insights into the nature of work of their parents. The children were also kept busy with various educational S.T.E.M. related activities that were organised throughout the day.

“Our children would usually ask us questions like – ‘What do you do at work?’ and with Children’s Day, they have the chance to step into our shoes and experience the working environment, as well as spark their curiosity in the world of S.T.E.M.,” said Dhanica Mae Dumo, Channel Director, Modern Trade, GSK Consumer Healthcare Sdn Bhd.

“As a science-led global healthcare company, GSK is committed to lead by innovation and scientific excellence, and with GSK’s S.T.E.M. Discovery Day, we hope to inspire our children to explore and pursue the S.T.E.M. fields either academically or as a career,” said Dhanica.

“Additionally, our values amongst others, which comprises respect and integrity, coupled with our expectations of teamwork and accountability, is at the heart of our endeavours to achieve excellence in providing to our consumers, which forms an integral part of our culture here in GSK. Through this continuous initiative of Children’s Day, we strive to continue with our efforts to build and sustain our community internally, with the balance of family and work, which we hope for it to transpire into a better next generation of GSK employees,” she added.

The children were split into teams and were tasked to complete several activities that aimed to immerse the children into the world of S.T.E.M. which includes, building a robotic hand, learning about nutrition through food science activities, testing their counting skills through a mathematic treasure hunt, balloon launch contest, and constructing a structure out of recyclable materials that could withstand the weight of a 1-kilogram item.

Additionally, the creativity and presentation skills of the children were put to the test in an ‘Apprentice’-like challenge, wherein each of the teams were tasked to create a new brand and pitched their idea to GSK’s Management Team. The team with the most points accumulated from the day’s activities won trophies and hampers filled with GSK products.

Furthermore, older children had the opportunity to undergo a real-life interview session that was designed to prepare them for college or university admissions, as well as job interviews for the future.

Parents also joined in the fun alongside their children, in activities such as Zumba and interactive science shows, as well as support their children throughout the day. There were also appearances from several GSK-owned mascots like Scotty and Dr Greedy.

“It was indeed a fun-filled day for both parents and children alike as we strengthened the GSK family bond even further. By spending a day with their parents at work, the children would better understand the nature of work of their parents and be inspired to pursue a health science-related career in the future,” Dhanica concluded.