May 1 to 30.2005
Sony Science Teachers Association (SSTA) Assistance Activities
SSTA Young Teacher Training Workshop
Young Teacher Training Workshop meetings were held at three venues located in Fukuoka Minami (14th and 15th), Ibaraki Prefecture (21st and 22nd) and Nagano Prefecture (28th and 29th). While workshop content varied somewhat between venue, the meetings adopted a common approach based on each individual participating directly in discussions and the decision making processes. The workshops offered content directly applicable to daily classes and the young teacher trainees responded with enthusiasm and strong motivation. The workshops held at all venues featured research focusing on specific activities and subjects. The chief accomplishment of this round of meetings was that young teachers gained a finer sense of how to turn natural phenomenon and objects (materials) into teaching materials and teaching opportunities.
The number of workshop venues was increased from three last year to five this year and the number of young Teacher trainees applying for the workshops doubled from last year's figure. Young teacher trainees applying to participate exceeded the designated number of four available places in metropolitan Tokyo in the Kanto Area. Applications also exceeded the number of available places in regions, such as Kansai and Aichi and Fukuoka Prefectures, where teacher hiring has been on the increase.
Young Teacher Training Workshops will also be held in Aomori Prefecture and Hyogo Prefecture during the Month of June.
Sony Preschool Education Program for Children
Compilation of Selected Reports (Vol. 2) Designed to Foster Children with an Appreciation for the Sciences Now Posted on the Foundation Website
The Sony Preschool Education Program for Children receives numerous essays as part of the educational project plans submitted by preschool institutions every year. The Compilation of Selected Reports (Vol. 2) has just been completed. Featuring a total of 28 examples of activities selected from reports submitted by 24 nursery schools and kindergartens selected for awardment in 2004, the Compilation content for 2005 is intended to serve as useful reference for other nursery schools and kindergartens throughout Japan. The Program would like everyone involved in preschool education to read the reports (see URL below) and make use of the excellent examples wherever possible.
URL http://www.sony-ef.or.jp/preschool/practice/index.html
Announcing a New Web Site Feature
Visit and Discover New Web Magazine Entitled "See it for Yourself! Children Learning Appreciation for the Sciences"
The new web magazine features numerous priceless examples of practical application of educational ideas not included in the Compilation of Selected Reports. Content focuses on the seasons, children's daily lives and the most memorable quotes heard from children. They are themes common to all nursery schools and kindergartens.
New examples of practical application will be posted twice monthly on the first and third Monday of each month. Make sure to visit regularly and follow developments as they happen.
- Vol. 1: Features examples focusing on vegetation and flower beds as seen in spring and the changing faces of children at study and play.
- Vol. 2: Features scenes of children discovering the world of living creatures around them. The content described above was posted in the Program section of the website in May.
URL http://www.sony-ef.or.jp/preschool/webmag.html
Note that the schedule has changed for some Report Presentation Meetings for the Advanced Awardment Schools. Be sure to check the schedule for your area.
- [Changes to Schedule]
- July 27 (Wed.): Akasaki Nursery School (Tottori Prefecture)
- August 3 (Wed.): Mt. Zion Kindergarten (Fukuoka Prefecture)
- [Unchanged Schedules]
- October 14 (Fri.): Onomachi Nursery School (Ishikawa Prefecture)
- November 18 (Fri.): Ibaraki University Department of Education Kindergarten (Ibaraki Prefecture)
