2026 Activity Report Kyoto University Course : Kyoto University’s Katsura Campus

Nine high school students selected from Vietnam’s schools for gifted students, together with one supervisor, participated in the Sakura Science High School Program (SSHP) Kyoto University Course. On September 9, the second day of the program, they visited Kyoto University’s Katsura Campus, a major hub for engineering research.

In the morning, the students visited laboratories in the Departments of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Engineering Physics. In the afternoon, they attended a trial lecture offered by the International Course Program (ICP) of the Department of Civil and Earth Resources Engineering and interacted with current students. They also toured the structural engineering, wind tunnel, and hydraulic engineering laboratories. Through a variety of experiments and discussions with researchers, the participants gained a deeper understanding of how engineering research contributes to solving real-world social challenges.

■Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry : Fascinated by Research Equipment Developed by Scientists

The students were divided into three groups and toured laboratories with a variety of research instruments used to investigate the properties and behavior of materials, including spectrometers, electron microscopes, atomic force microscopes (AFMs), and microwave conductivity measurement systems.
Among the equipment, the atomic force microscope (AFM), which enables researchers to examine material surfaces at an extremely small scale, attracted particular interest from the students. When several participants asked how the instrument worked, a doctoral student serving as their guide used a whiteboard to explain how a microscopic probe and laser are used to measure surface structures with remarkable precision.
The students were also fascinated by a custom-built instrument developed within the laboratory. A doctoral student guiding the tour explained, “This is a very rare piece of equipment. Because much of it was built in-house, there may be only two or three similar systems in Japan.” He added that researchers from across the country sometimes visit the laboratory specifically to use the instrument for their experiments.

For one of the students with a strong interest in chemistry, the opportunity to see such a unique device firsthand was particularly memorable. Reflecting on the experience, the student described it as “an incredible opportunity.”

■Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering : Magnets Floating in Midair!

Guided by Professor YONEZAWA Shingo and Assistant Professor IKEDA Atsutoshi, the students experienced magnetic levitation through superconductivity.
As a magnet began floating several centimeters above a superconductor cooled with liquid nitrogen, the students' expressions instantly changed. Some widened their eyes in amazement, while others placed their hands on their heads in disbelief.
The phenomenon was explained in terms of superconductivity, including the Meissner effect, in which magnetic flux is expelled from a superconductor. Following the demonstration, the students took turns gently pushing the levitating magnet with chopsticks to experience the strength of the magnetic force for themselves.
Seeing the magnet remain suspended in midair even after being pushed left a strong impression on the participants. Many eagerly took photos and videos, smiling as they observed the phenomenon up close. One student remarked enthusiastically, “I’ve never seen anything float like this before.”

■Department of Engineering Physics : Using Computation to Discover the Optimal Design

At the laboratory of Professor NISHIWAKI Shinji, the students attended a presentation by a second-year doctoral student on topology optimization, a computational design method used to determine the most effective distribution of materials within a given design space to achieve desired performance objectives.
The students learned how topology optimization can be applied to engineering structures such as bridge components, enabling engineers to reduce material usage while maintaining the strength required to safely support heavy loads. The presentation also introduced potential applications in devices that control fluid flow and heat transfer, as well as in solid-state batteries, a promising next-generation energy storage technology.
Through the session, the participants gained insight into how mathematics and physics can be translated into practical engineering solutions and innovative technologies. The visit offered them a glimpse into the research processes that drive advanced manufacturing and technological development.

■International Course Program (ICP) : Studying Civil Engineering in English

Professor KITANE Yasuo introduced the International Course Program (ICP) in the Department of Civil and Earth Resources Engineering. The ICP offers a curriculum that closely follows the department’s regular civil engineering program while providing instruction entirely in English. Through studies in infrastructure development, project management, disaster prevention, and related fields, the program aims to educate engineers capable of contributing on an international level.
Students learned that civil engineering extends far beyond the design and construction of bridges and buildings. The field encompasses a wide range of disciplines related to the infrastructure and environments that support everyday life, including geotechnical engineering, hydraulics, and urban planning. The presentation also highlighted practical learning opportunities such as international internships, which may include field training at construction sites inside and outside Japan.
Encouraging the participants to look beyond linguistic barriers, Professor KITANE emphasized the importance of international communication skills, telling the students, “By overcoming language barriers, you can grow into professionals capable of making meaningful contributions around the world.”

■A Trial Lecture and Student Exchange on “Nature as a Game of Chance”

The participants attended a trial lecture by KIM Sunmin titled “Statistical Analysis and Hydrologic Design.” Using annual rainfall data from Kyoto, the students learned about probability theory and statistical distributions before exploring how engineers design infrastructure to protect communities from flooding.
The session was highly interactive. Rather than simply listening to the lecture, the students actively participated by answering questions related to statistical concepts such as averages, standard deviations, and return periods.
During the lecture, KIM Sunmin offered a memorable explanation of climate change through the metaphor of a dice game:
“We are dealing with the dice of nature. However, climate change is gradually altering the shape of those dice. As nature changes, the methods we use must also adapt.”
Through the lecture, the students gained insight into how probability and statistics can be applied to real-world engineering challenges, and how engineers use data-driven approaches to address the increasing uncertainties associated with climate change and natural hazards.

■Exploring Three Engineering Laboratories: Structures, Wind, and Water

The participants toured the Structural Engineering Laboratory, the Wind Tunnel Laboratory, and the Hydraulics Laboratory, gaining firsthand insight into the experimental facilities and research activities that support the development of safer and more resilient infrastructure.

Structural Engineering Laboratory (Associate Professor Kaichun Zhang)

At the Structural Engineering Laboratory, students learned how engineers evaluate the safety and performance of structures such as bridges. During a demonstration of an experimental system used to study the interaction between moving vehicles and bridge structures, one of the students applied force to the apparatus while sensors detected the resulting vibrations. The participants observed in real time how the data were recorded and analyzed, gaining firsthand insight into the technologies used to monitor structural behavior and ensure infrastructure safety.

Wind Tunnel Laboratory (Associate Professor MATSUMIYA Hisato)

At the Wind Tunnel Laboratory, students learned how researchers investigate the effects of wind on bridges and other large structures. Using scale bridge models, wind tunnel experiments, and numerical simulations, researchers analyze how bridges respond to various wind conditions and how their designs can be improved to ensure safety and stability.
As a well-known example of the relationship between wind and bridge design, the students were introduced to the collapse of the original Tacoma Narrows Bridge in the United States in 1940, one of the most influential events in the development of modern wind engineering.
Later, a large-scale wind tunnel was operated, allowing the students to experience the generated airflow firsthand. As strong winds filled the facility, the participants eagerly observed the demonstration and asked questions about the strength of the wind and the maximum wind speeds that the equipment could produce.

Hydraulics Laboratory (Associate Professor ONDA Shinichiro)

At the Hydraulics Laboratory, students observed an experiment designed to investigate how flowing water affects bridge foundations. Water was released into a narrow experimental channel lined with sand, where a metal column representing a bridge pier had been installed. As the water flowed around the column, the sand surrounding its base gradually eroded. The students leaned over the channel and carefully watched the movement of the sand.
Next, red dye was introduced upstream to visualize the flow of water around the column. This allowed the participants to observe how currents developed and interacted with the structure.
The experiment became even more interesting when a metal rod was positioned horizontally upstream of the column. The additional obstacle altered the flow pattern, resulting in noticeable changes to the shapes formed on the sandy riverbed. By releasing the red dye again, the students compared the flow conditions before and after the rod was installed and observed how even small changes in a structure can significantly influence water movement and erosion processes.

■Tracing the Legacy of Nobel and Fields Laureates

The day concluded with a visit to the Nobel Prize and Fields Medal Exhibition Corner at the Funai Tetsuro Auditorium. There, the students explored displays highlighting the achievements of distinguished researchers and mathematicians associated with Kyoto University.
Some participants took the time to read the exhibits individually, while others gathered in small groups to discuss the discoveries and accomplishments presented. As they reflected on the careers of the Nobel Prize and Fields Medal laureates, the students gained a deeper appreciation of the university’s longstanding tradition of academic excellence and research innovation.

Entering research laboratories, speaking directly with researchers and students, observing experiments up close, and verifying scientific principles firsthand, the participants experienced a day in which the science they had learned from textbooks became closely connected to the engineering research that supports society. Through their two-day visit to Kyoto University’s campuses, the students gained a deeper understanding of the university’s academic environment, research culture, and commitment to innovation.
The program provided a valuable opportunity for the students to explore new fields of study, interact with leading researchers, and envision their own future paths in science and engineering. Their visits to Kyoto University’s Yoshida and Katsura campuses offered an inspiring conclusion to their SSHP experience and left them with lasting impressions of the possibilities that higher education and research can create.