SAKURA SCIENCE High School Program Group 1
Experiencing the Fun of Mathematics at Tokyo University of Science
High school students from China, the Philippines, Bhutan, Ghana, Zambia, and Nigeria visited the Tokyo University of Science.
In a mock lecture, given by Dr. Yamamoto Makoto, Professor of Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and entitled "Introduction to Fluid Dynamics — Why can airplane fly? —," high school students listened with great interest to hear his easy-to-understand explanation of specialized knowledge from the fundamentals of fluid mechanics. In an experiment demonstrating lift using balloons and hairdryers, brightly colored balloons floated above the venue.
The students toured the experiment building of Center for Fire Science and Technology, the world's top-level fire science experimental center. This is facility conducts experiments on fires of which the number of occurrences has increased in recent years and the damage they cause has increased on a large scale. The high school students were surprised by experiments that actually used fire. Some high school students were concerned, and said "won't this building catch on fire?"
In the afternoon, the students took a class from Professor Akiyama Jin at the Kagurazaka Campus entitled "Thanks to Math!" Professor Akiyama is famous for his fun explanations of mathematics that employs a variety of props. Today, as well, he gave a very easy-to-understand explanation of just how helpful mathematics can be in our lives, such as in "love fortune-telling using paper tape" (topology), "a number guessing game using cards" (error correcting code theory), and others.
After the class, the students visited the Mathematics Experience Museum and the Museum of Science on campus. Students were able to learn mathematical theory like they were playing a game, so they were very enthusiastic and challenged by the various experiments.
The day was full of a lot of traveling from the Noda Campus to the Kagurazaka Campus, but it was a fascinating day filled with the fun of mathematical science.
