Children talk with Texas Woman's University math and biology professors at TI's Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day event.

More than 1,200 children, teens, TI employees, contractors and local university representatives attended TI's 18th annual "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work" Day event at the company's headquarters in Dallas recently.

"By all accounts, this event was the largest in our history," said Steve Lyle, TI director of Education, Workforce Development and Diversity. "It was highly educational and fun as activities showcased the innovation, the technology and the diversity that make TI a great place to work."

New to this year's event were booths hosted by several area universities to reinforce the important role college education plays in individual growth.

Don Edwards, a Texas Woman's University (TWU) associate dean, attended the event with two math and biology professors who conducted demonstrations for the children and answered questions about math, science and the university.

"I'm really glad we came," Edwards said. "We've done several things with TI over the years, and this was a really nice program."

The other universities in attendance were Dallas Baptist University (DBU), Southern Methodist University (SMU), the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas).

Children also participated in a wide range of activities at more than 30 booths sponsored by TI business organizations and employee initiatives.

Each booth showcased this year's event theme, "TI Changes Lives," by demonstrating how TI affects the quality of people's lives around the world through medical devices, clean energy, "green" devices, and much more.

Children of TI employees have fun working with DigiArt at the event.

"There were robots running around all over the place with the children in control, infrared cameras showing handprints of heat left just from touching an object, artwork made from scrap packaged parts and die, and university representatives with bubbling flasks just to name a few," said Rich Irwin, a TI employee and 2011 event co-chair.

"The excitement of both the volunteers and the children was infectious," he said.

TI's Muslim Employee Initiative (MEI) hosted a booth showcasing TI's contributions to the communities where it operates worldwide, with the goal of inspiring the children in attendance to do the same.

"This aspect of TI reaching out and making a difference in lives at a social level resonated with us because the MEI actively participates in local opportunities to help our people in need," said Saqib Malik, TI MEI chairman. "We believe it's important for children to recognize that being successful in life is not just about technical innovation, but it is also about community involvement and environmental stewardship."

MEI's booth included a short quiz for participants, which tested them on facts they learned at the booth about TI and its employees' contributions to the community, the company's recycling efforts and volunteer programs.

Nearly 130 teens took part in the TI Teen Track. The track, which featured activities designed for older children, encouraged hands-on participation.

The teens had the opportunity to test several applications and use a variety of skills, from problem solving to mathematics and design in a competition for prizes.