Summer Discovery, 2023

In August, we held an annual event for our employees’ children, dubbed “Summer Discovery, 2023.” This year’s venue was Orbray [TRAD], which is our newest factory, in Yuzawa City, Akita Prefecture. For the first time, we recruited this project’s members from among our employees. The members selected several programs among many proposals and made all the preparations. A total of 60 children participated in the event.

Highlights of the Event

Craftsmanship

Children made snow globes and kaleidoscopes by using milk cartons, ruby, and ferrules. The industrial parts were unusable scrap from our factories. This program helped children to complete their summer vacation homework of making crafts. The children really enjoyed it.

Work Place Experience

Children carried out thermal conductivity experiments using diamond and other materials. They also tried to polish things with electric nail files, and pick up fragments of ruby with tweezers while looking through a microscope.

Factory Tour at Orbray [TRAD]

Orbray President Riyako Namiki gave children a tour of our newest factory, and quizzed them frequently about what they were seeing. The children were curious about facilities and products they had never seen before. The tour turned out to be a valuable experience for them.

Flying Drones

Children studied the structure of drones equipped with small motors, which are manufactured at our factory in Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture. They operated a small drone that is easy to manipulate even for beginners. It was a good opportunity for them to experience aviation technology.

Summer Fair

We also held a fair, where children enjoyed playing quoits and scooping up small balls by using paddles made of sapphire manufactured by Orbray.

Magic Show

The main feature of this year’s event was a magic show by one of our employees. Conjuring doves and card tricks astonished the children, who oohed and aahed in open-mouthed amazement. The children also had fun making their own magic boxes and learning magic techniques.

Preparation for the summer event started as early as May. The project members – nine Orbray employees, a high school student, and a university student – joined forces to create the event. Both of the students had participated in the “From Project” that Orbray has supported. For the first time, we recruited project members from among our employees. All the members worked hard on planning, setting up a venue, and dealing with the budget. Thanks to support from many people, we successfully carried out the project.

Here are excerpts of comments from the project members:

・ Our sons attended the event for two years in row and they were very satisfied. I was so happy to see that.

・ It took a lot of work to consider the various programs and do all the preparations, but I was very glad to hear our kids say they had fun. I hope to join the event again next year and come up with a program that can surpass the magic of doves.

・ It was a wonderful opportunity to enhance the bonds between the factory and the community. I hope we can offer this experience to as many people as possible.

・ The experience of cooperating with our colleagues at other factories and offices to hold a successful event gave me the chance to improve myself. The children’s smiles empowered me. I would like to keep holding exciting events for kids.

・ We received many proposals for the event and had difficulty in narrowing down the number of programs. We completed the event successfully thanks to our bosses, colleagues, and those who helped us with transportation, equipment, and advice. I am so grateful.

We will hold this event again next year and every year going forward. We also hope to develop the event further, so that we can include not only our employees’ children, but also the local community.

SDGs | Orbray Co., Ltd.

 https://orbray.com/en/corporate/sdgs.html