February 1 to 28.2005
Sony Science Education Program for Children
Evaluation of Awardment Qualifying Schools of the Preceding Year
The Sony Science Education Program for Children conducted evaluations of the results produced by awardment qualifying schools for the 2003 awardment year. This most recent evaluation was conducted in accordance with the recommendation by educator and screening panel member Professor Katsunobu Matsumoto (Osaka Kyoiku University) that "educational project plans should be evaluated within the year they are implemented."
The evaluators visited three schools accompanied by Foundation representatives to conduct their evaluations. Professor Minoru Eda (Graduate School, Aomori University) visited Hasuda Minami Junior High School (18th) and Edosaki Primary School (28), and Professor Katsunobu Matsumoto Kariya Minami Junior High School (23rd).
The professors found that classes being conducted by all schools were very high in educational quality and thus capable of fostering children with an appreciation for the sciences.
Sony Science Teachers Association (SSTA) Assistance Activities
Young Teacher Training Workshop
A circular inviting applications from young trainees was sent to the various SSTA chapters. Steps are being taken to increase the number of venues (from 3 to 5) and trainees (from 49 to 121), with priority being given to allocating trainees to those districts currently most actively hiring young teachers.
- May 14 and 15 (Sat. & Sun.) in Fukuoka:
22 trainees in nine chapters (hosted by Fukuoka Minami chapter) - May 21 and 22 (Sat. & Sun.) in Ibaraki:
24 trainees in six chapters (hosted by Ibaraki chapter) - May 28 and 29 (Sat. & Sun.) in Nagano:
24 trainees in ten chapters (hosted by Nagano chapter) - June 4 and 5 (Sat. & Sun.) in Aomori:
21 trainees in eight chapters (hosted by Aomori chapter) - June 25 and 26 (Sat. & Sun.) in Hyogo:
30 trainees in 13 chapters (hosted by Hyogo chapter)
Theme Development Workshop
Theme development workshop meetings focusing on presentation of research reports followed by question and answer sessions were held February 11 and 12 in Hiroshima. Meetings covered the research conducted by five individual chapters, including the Hiroshima, Fukuoka Kita, Fukuoka Minami, Kumamoto and Oita chapters. The meetings were attended by approximately 70 chapter members and observers from Tokyo and Yamaguchi Prefecture.
The attending chapters gave research presentations based on the following themes.
- Hiroshima Chapter: The Language of Natural Science and the Science of Living (Research designed to improve the quality of teaching through observing the language used by children when studying natural science and the science of living.)
- Fukuoka Kita Chapter: Development of Teaching Materials--- With Focus on Teaching Skills That Enable Children to Make Things by Hand
- Fukuoka Minami Chapter: Teaching Methods
- Oita Chapter: Making Effective the Use of Locally Available Materials and Facilities
- Kumamoto Chapter: Proposals Based on New Teaching Materials ("Teaching about Living Things" and "Skills That Enable Children to Make Things by Hand")
Sony Preschool Education Program for Children
The Sony Preschool Education Program for Children has begun showcasing the essays submitted as the centerpiece of the educational project plan application by each awardment qualifying school.
The full text of the Advanced Project Awardment school (4) essays and overviews of the Superior Project Awardment school (12) essays are available for download from the Foundation web site.
http://www.sony-ef.or.jp/preschool/2004/list.html
The various awardment presentation ceremonies held across the country were completed in the middle of February. Coverage of the Advanced Project Awardment presentations by regional newspapers show that school activities are clearly achieving wider recognition in the local community.
