Activity Report of Open Application Program 2024 vol.5 (Course A)
Princess Chulabhorn Science High School Phitsanulok Visit to Seishin Gakuen Junior/Senior High School and Related Collaborative Activities
Report from Seishin Gakuen Junior/Senior High School
Professor. Kevin Maxfield
Overview
Seishin Gakuen Junior/Senior High School is a private academy, grades seven to twelve, located in Kashima, Ibaraki Prefecture. It has been a Super Science High School (SSH) since 2007. For almost a decade, it has maintained a sister-school relationship with Princess Chulabhorn Science High School Phitsanulok (henceforth PCCPL). This has included cooperative participation in various science-related events as well as the Sakura Science Program. In November of this year, as part of the Sakura Science Program, a group of four teachers and four students from PCCPL arrived in Japan for a six-day visit.
Day One – Tsukuba Agriculture Research Hall
After the group from PCCPL arrived, they were met by a delegation from Seishin and taken to Tsukuba, where they visited the Agriculture Research Hall https://www.naro.go.jp/tarh/.
The Agriculture Research Hall has lots of information regarding technological advances in agriculture in comprehensive displays. Most of them are bilingual. The PCCPL visitors were particularly interested in exhibits regarding modification of crops to adapt them to environmental changes.
After the visit to the museum was over, the group went to Seishin, where the students were united with their host families.
Day Two – Class Participation
On the second day, the students from PCCPL attended classes at Seishin:
- The first two periods were an 11th grade math class, which had a special competitive activity in which teams designed and constructed parachutes using common materials and tried to drop them onto a target from a height.
- In the third period the students joined a 10th grade advanced English class and participated in group discussions and presentations. Many different ideas were presented.
- In the fourth period, the students joined an 11th grade home economics class in which they participated in an engaging group activity related to economics and budgeting.
- In the fifth period, one of the teachers from PCCPL used an 11th grade advanced English class to do a special CLIL lesson on the topic of natural selection.
- The sixth period was left open for the PCCPL students, and they chose to wander around the campus observing.
- During the Thursday Seminar period, the students went to their host students' seminars.
Day Three – Tsukuba University
On the third day, a joint Seishin/PCCPL group went to Tsukuba University.
https://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/about/
They attended two lectures. The first was related to the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and involved database research. The second was related to genetic modification of plants. Both lectures were interesting, informative, and involved hands-on activities. The professors were also friendly and inspiring.
Day Four – Science Exhibition
Saturday was the day of Seishin's annual Autumn SSH Exhibition. The students from PCCPL gave presentations during the opening stage event and also participated as part of the poster presentations given by all 10th and 11th grade students. After that, they were treated to a demonstration of the Japanese Tea Ceremony.
Day Five – Host Family Day
While the PCCPL students spent the day with their host families, the teachers were taken sightseeing and shopping.
Day Six – Miraikan and Farewell
On the sixth and final day, a joint Seishin/PCCPL group went to the National Museum of Emerging Technology and Innovation (Miraikan). https://www.miraikan.jst.go.jp/en After spending several exciting hours there, the PCCPL group was taken to Haneda Airport for their flight home.
Conclusion
The visit by the group from PCCPL this year in cooperation with JST Sakura Science was highly successful, and the teachers and students of both schools enjoyed an exciting and educational time together. We look forward to our next joint endeavor.
[Contact information]
Seishin Gakuen Junior/Senior High School
https://www.seishin-web.jp/
For online inquiries about Seishin Gakuen Junior/Senior High School or our program, please contact us here:
https://www.seishin-web.jp/contact/
or send an email to kmaxfield<at>seishingakuen.ed.jp (Please replace "<at>" with "@").