SAKURA SCIENCE High School Program Group 1
Learning About Space Development and Cutting-edge Science and Technology with JAXA and AIST
On Thursday, April 18, high school students from the SSHP Group 1 visited the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) at Tsukuba Space Center and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in two groups.
At JAXA, the students toured training facilities at the Astronaut Training Area, including the Operations Control Room (operated 24 hours a day in real time) for Kibo (the Japan-developed International Space Station Experimental Building). In addition, at the popular exhibition hall called "Space Dome," the high school students thought about the distant universe in front of an actual-size model of "Kibo" and a real rocket engine used in the combustion tests. One high school student from Zambia said with his eyes full of amazement, "this is the first time for me to visit such a facility. I was able to come in contact with the field of space development, and that was very exciting. I felt like an astronaut."
At AIST, the students got to experience the "Experimental Classroom for Fuel Cells." After an easy-to-understand lecture by Senior Research Fellow Dr. Ando Hisanori, it was finally time to conduct an experiment. An experimental fuel cell kit was assembled by each group and when they finally supplied it with hydrogen from a hydrogen cylinder, they learned that they had generated electricity and the electric fan rotated. The high school students continued to assemble it carefully, while checking the manual many times and using tweezers for detailed work. In the end, each group successfully generated power safely.
The interest of the high school students in fuel cells that do not emit CO2 was also high, and they raised their hands one after another during question time after the experiment had been conducted.
"Is it conceivable to use waste materials as materials for fuel cells?" "Does the manufacturing process use only liquid? Can you use solids?" It was impressive to see them still eagerly asking questions and taking notes after the experience class.
At Science Square, the students learned about the technology and cutting-edge science and technology that AIST has developed so far. In the area of the seal-type therapy robot called "Paro," the students stroked its head and they all gathered for photos together there.
The students were also delighted to see the Yaezakura cherry blossoms in full bloom I believe this was a very satisfying science tour for them.
