Father, daughter bond over sweet science
Take Our Kids to Work Day offers insight
The process that goes into converting glucose into citric acid isn’t a regular topic of discussion at the dinner table between Ryan Waines and his daughter Elyza.
But these topics were definitely part of the conversation when the environmental manager at Jungbunzlauer in Port Colborne was able to show what he does for a living on Take Our Kids to Work Day, an annual workplace tradition when parents bring their children to their place of employment for a full-day shift.
Elyza, a Grade 9 Port Colborne High School student, said her dad occasionally mentions wastewater-related issues he is responsible for at work — but nothing to the degree of what she had taken in after her first hour at the plant on Wednesday.
“Sometimes he talks about that, but not a lot,” she said before going on a more extensive tour of the facility built in the early ’80s and taken over by its current operator 17 years ago.
Waines said he is proud to give his daughter a first-hand glimpse of his expertise, considering she has already expressed interest in a similar profession.
“We embed that she should care about the environment, and she’s looking at a potential future employment in the quality or science-related fields,” said Waines, as Elyza agreed that what she had taken in so far on Wednesday was adding to her intrigue.
“I want to do something in the sciences, and I’m learning a lot about that,” she said.
The two major operations at the facility on Elm Street are the manufacturing of citric acid and corn syrup.
The location the company sits on was chosen close to 40 years ago due to it being along the Welland Canal, which is a primary source of water for the company.
The father and daughter were joined by fermentation manager Bob Stewart on the morning tour. Elyza said she was enjoying the educational experience.
“It seems complicated, but it’s very interesting,” she said.
Two other students from the same high school were also on site learning about their parents’ careers.
Jungbunzlauer also has plants in Germany, Austria and France.