August 1 to 31.2005
Sony Science Education Program for Children
Leadership-Fostering Workshop
The Leadership-Fostering Workshop was held July 30 to August 1 at the Overseas Vocational Training Association located in the Makuhari Messe complex in Chiba City. The workshop meeting for the second year of the second two-year term conducted a thorough review of research conducted by the various teams on curriculum and the structuring of instruction in segment units. The "human body" team conducted a re-examination of how curriculums are made up, the " astronomy," "physical matter" and "energy" teams presented proposals for structuring curriculums to ensure consistency in content between the primary and secondary school programs and the "how things dissolve" team discussed ways of using image diagrams. Discussion during the report presentation session led to very lively question and answer exchanges. The main points of the workshop sessions have been identified and detailed summaries are now being worked out.
Theme-Development Workshop
- Niigata: Creating and Evaluating Class Structures Capable of Fostering Children with an Appreciation for the Sciences (August 2 and 3) The process involves development of a learning system in which children set their own learning targets and conduct evaluations of their own results (active self-evaluation).
- Fukushima Prefecture: Enhancing the Sense of Wonder in Teachers as a Way to Better Foster Children With Appreciation for the Sciences (August 4 to 6) The theme involves exploring ways to develop teaching materials and classes based on interaction with nature (as part of a six-course fieldwork project).
- Okayama Prefecture: Conducting Class Research and Educational Material Development Designed to Ensure Consistency Between Primary and Junior High School Instruction as a Way of Fostering Children with an Appreciation for the Sciences (August 19 to 21)
This is a proposal that aims to develop curriculums for the study of electricity that ensure consistency in content between primary and junior high school classes and includes steps for improving current teaching practices. - Oita Prefecture: Fostering Children with an Appreciation for Nature Where They Grew up (August 26 to 28)
This involves developing teaching materials and applying them to classes based on nature themes involving the sea and woodlands. (Special classes held for primary school children.)
The sponsoring chapters presented research and training plans designed to approach study themes from a variety of different angles and in ways that made the workshop sessions truly meaningful.
The participation of researchers from chapters in other prefectures helped to provide stimulating exchanges of views.
Sony Preschool Education Program for Children
1. Recently Held Report Presentation Meetings
Report presentation meetings were held at Akasaki Nursery School (Tottori Prefecture) and Seinan Jo Gakuin Mt. Zion Kindergarten (Fukuoka Prefecture), two schools that received the Advanced Project School awardment for 2004.
- Akasaki Nursery School (Held July 27)
The open-house nursery school session was conducted as a project style activity based on the sub theme of "Learning appreciation for science through daily life as a project approach," which is central to the school's teaching style and a key feature that helped it win the Advanced Project School awardment. Held in buzz session style, the question and answer period featured an animated exchange of views. This session was followed by a commemorative lecture on "fostering appreciation for science" and the school's unique project approach. In fact, the "project approach" was the central theme of the day's activities and provided ample food for thought.
(A detailed report on the events of the day will be presented in early September.) - Seinan Jo Gakuin Mt. Zion Kindergarten (August 3)
The Mt. Zion Kindergarten's open-house nursery school session focused on children as they participated a wide range of activities, including growing vegetables and attending a church service, based on the sub theme of "Developing caring attitudes and fostering an appreciation for the sciences through communion with nature." Views expressed during the general review of the day's activities that followed discussions on the research pointed out how the fact that children gradually developing an appreciation for the sciences" could be discerned from their natural and unassuming manner as they participated in the various activities.
Deadline for Submitting Project Application Essays Fast Approaching
The deadline for submitting project application essays for 2005 is September 12 (Mon.). The criteria for assessing educational projects were changed as of this year. Emphasis is now being placed on examination of project practical application, the likely challenges for practical application in the following year and the resulting choice of direction and plans to be adopted in future. The Sony Preschool Education Program for Children looks forward to receiving many interesting essays reflecting the unique aspects of the daily activities at each individual school and the natural faces of the children there.
"Wellspring of Science Inspiration---Children's Schoolhouse of Dreams"
The very first "Wellspring of Science Inspiration---Children's Schoolhouse of Dreams" was held August 20 to 25 at the Sagami River Waka-ayu Village in Sagami City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
Under the instruction of the seven primary and junior high school teachers led by the head teacher of the school, Hideki Shirakawa, the course involved approximately 30 children participating in a full range of activities, including electrical experiments using conductive plastic, the collecting of nocturnal insects and building a crystal radio set. The central theme was "learning from nature."
Although, no doubt, somewhat tired, the children left the study program with eager and highly motivated expressions on their faces. This was reflected in the many replies in the questionnaires to the effect "I would like to continue to develop the relationships I have established at the school."
We believe it was a wonderful experience for these children to be able to come together with the teachers and students from various different regions and grade levels immersed in a natural environment for six whole days.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped make the "Wellspring of Science Inspiration" classes such a success.
Detailed reviews of class activities will be provided during September and October. Please check for the updates as they appear.
