Activity Report of High School Program 2014 vol.6
Visits to the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation (Miraikan) and Keio University’s Yagami Campus
Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
On the morning of August 6, 120 high school students participating in the Third Session of the High School Student Special Course visited the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation. The group was welcomed by Dr. Mamoru Mohri, the museum’s Chief Executive Director, and commemorative photos were taken. On this occasion, Dr. Mohri talked about the wonders and mysteries of the universe, adding from his personal experience: “When I was fifteen years old, I happened to see a total solar eclipse, which motivated me to become a scientist.”
Students asked him a variety of questions: whether he felt uneasy in outer space, whether he believed in the existence of aliens, and what he thought about the relationship between the brain and outer space. Dr. Mohri replied to each question patiently and carefully.
In the afternoon, 40 members of Group A (students from the Philippines, Mongolia, Cambodia and Malaysia) visited Keio University’s Yagami Campus. After a brief introduction by the university staff, the students were guided to the Manufacturing Center, which was inaugurated in January this year. All the students showed a keen interest in the great variety of the latest manufacturing devices on display.
The enthusiasm of the students reflected in their shining eyes as they watched the devices being demonstrated, and they asked one question after the other. It was obvious that they were very interested in learning about how things are made.
Later, overseas graduate students from Thailand and Myanmar studying at Keio University talked about their areas of research and about life in Japan. Overall, it was a meaningful campus visit for all the students.
