Kagoshima University Faculty of Science Amami Islands Regional Elementary and Junior High School Science Outreach Lessons - Unravel the Wonders of Science with Dr. Koyama!
Koyama Keiichi
https://sci-kagoshima-univ.jp- china
Background and objectives of activities
The percentage of girls in Kagoshima Prefecture who choose to study science and technology is low, and this is thought to be due to the environment rather than their grades. Kagoshima Prefecture, which is made up of the main island and many remote islands, is also said to have a problem with the disparity in educational opportunities between urban and rural areas.
In order to achieve the SDG “Quality Education for All”, the Faculty of Science is working to hold various science courses for elementary and junior high school students in addition to holding outreach classes at high schools, and recently held outreach science classes at elementary and junior high schools in the Amami Islands region.
Summary of Activities
Professor Yoshikazu Koyama (specializing in physics) visited Takae Elementary School and Takae Junior High School in China Town, Okinoerabu Island, to give a science class (R5.10.24)
In the class titled “Let's find out the wonders of magnets!”, the 14 participating 3rd and 4th graders confirmed the properties of magnets through experiments. After the class, Professor Koyama presented the children with “future doctor” certificates. The participating children said things like “I love science. The experiments were fun. I was surprised to see the spikes that appeared when you brought a magnet close to the magnetic fluid.
Expected Benefits
It is hoped that this outreach class initiative in the Amami Islands region will support the career choices of students in remote island areas and support the career choices of girls in the fields of science and mathematics.