July 1 to 31.2005
Sony Science Teachers Association (SSTA) Assistance Activities
Overseas Study Workshop
The SSTA sent four of its member teachers to the "Project Zero: Teaching for Understanding" summer seminar held at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The SSTA representatives left on July 18 and returned safely on July 28. While a detailed report by the attending members will be compiled soon, we have also received a brief update from the Harvard seminar. Participants report us that discussion included fascinating insights into the thought processes of children. The seminar produced this and many other results that are expected to provide good food for thought useful in improving the way classes for children are taught. The update also informs us that the efforts on the part of the SSTA members to formulate a draft proposal for a guidance plan beforehand played a very useful part in the discussions. The plan was derived from training in Japan that was based on the " Teaching for Understanding" project
Sony Preschool Education Program for Children
Vol. 7 of Web Magazine "See it for Yourself! Children Learning Appreciation for the Sciences" is Now Out
Vol. 6 of the Web Magazine features the "Special on Bubbles" and includes three examples exploring the wonderful childhood phenomenon that is bubbles. Vol. 7 offers examples of the harvesting of summer vegetables. The Kotoba no Tane (food for discussion) article explores the thoughts and feelings children have towards cultivating vegetables exposed to a typhoon. The topic couldn't be better timed as we have just recently had a close encounter with a typhoon ourselves.
Installments focusing on current seasonal themes are posted bimonthly on the first and third Mondays. Make sure to visit regularly and follow developments as they happen.
See the following URL for the schedule of upcoming issues of "See it for Yourself! Children Learning Appreciation for the Sciences" for the year.
http://www.sony-ef.or.jp/preschool/webmag.html
Attention: Schools Submitting Essays
The deadline for submitting educational project essays for 2005 is September 12. The Sony Preschool Education Program for Children has already received a number of project essays from nursery schools and kindergartens across the country. Schools wishing information on application requirements should feel free to contact the Program at the following URL.
http://www.sony-ef.or.jp/preschool/2005/index.html
Note that an article in the NOCCO September edition of a magazine published by Froebel-kan Co. Ltd. discusses the essay application requirements.
Notice of Report Presentation Meeting
The Report Presentation Meeting featuring examples of practical application from Advanced Awardment projects was held at the Akasaki Nursery School (Tottori Prefecture) July 27 (Wednesday). The approach of a typhoon did nothing to dampen a program of meaningful educational content, including open-house nursery school sessions, presentations on examples of practical application and a commemorative lecture. A more detailed report on the meeting will be provided later.
