SAKURA SCIENCE High School Program Group 3
Visit to Aichi Prefectural Okazaki High School
On June 19, the third group of SSHP visited Aichi Prefectural Okazaki High School and attended a special lecture by Professor AMANO Hiroshi, recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics. The lecture, which was also attended by students of Okazaki High School, was entitled "A journey full of challenges—How a poor Japanese University sparked the LED revolution and the continual impact in the future smart society."
Professor AMANO provided the high school students with an easy-to-understand explanation on the long-term challenge of crystallizing gallium nitride that led to the development of blue LEDs. Also, when discussing the important qualities of a researcher, he cited "having a vision for the future, belief in that vision, and the enthusiasm and persistence to see it through."
In the Q&A session after the lecture, Professor AMANO carefully answered each of the many questions from the high school students; for example, "Why did you try to crystallize gallium nitride, which was not mainstream at the time?" "What steps should I take now to become a biology researcher?" "What is the relationship between the business world and research?" Professor AMANO closed with an enthusiasts message of encouragement for the high school students—"It’s now your turn to lead the world. Find your own path and maximize your talents."
In the afternoon, a research presentation was held in English. Students from overseas and Okazaki High School gave presentations on their respective cultures and research to each other. They also played shiritori (word chain) games in English, the Yamanote-sen game (a game in which players sit in a circle, clap in rhythm, and take turns saying words related to a certain theme during breaks in the rhythm), and card games (UNO). Participants also experienced club activities such as Japanese archery, tea ceremony, flower arranging, judo, kendo, calligraphy, and chorus.
It was an unforgettable day for high school students from both Japan and abroad.
