Activities were designed by members of each department to fit the Star Wars theme while teaching kids about how Stryker operates as a company. Watch video
MAHWAH -- Generally if you are being led down a long, industrial hallway by stormtroopers, you might have a bad feeling about it. But despite the imperial occupation, Thursday was all smiles at Stryker Orthopedics, which hosted its tenth annual company-wide "Take Our Kids to Work Day" event. Over 200 kids visited Stryker's campus, touring the facility and participating in games and activities.
This year, the theme of the event was Star Wars. Cardboard cutouts of Han Solo and BB-8 filled the hallways, and speakers blasted John Williams timeless score.
"With Star Wars being so popular this year with the kids, [the theme] was kind of an easy pick," said Bill Huffnagle, the President of Stryker's reconstructive division. It was pretty clear, however, that many of the adults were just as excited to dress up as their favorite characters.
Activities were designed by members of each department to fit the theme while teaching kids about how Stryker operates as a company. In one room, employees helped kids build their own lightsabers using parts designed to help reconstruct an ankle, even using the equipment to build a beeping droid reminiscent of R2-D2 (though employees referred to it affectionately as H2-T2).
Elsewhere, kids learned how Stryker designs and molds joint replacements by watching metal tie fighters get made using the same process. Some activities, though, like making your own slime, were just fun for the sake of fun. "Obviously, the ultimate goal is for kids to make friends," Huffnagle remarked.
Check out the gallery above to see some of the highlights of the day.
Alex Remnick may be reached at aremnick@njadvancemedia.com or on Twitter @AlexRemnick. Find NJ.com on Facebook.