Nippon Institute of Technology's teachers visited Izumi Elementary School in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, and conducted on-site classes three times from November to December 2023. The exchange began in June when children at Izumi Elementary School released balloons.
Izumi Elementary School released balloons with poppy seeds and paper with the school's name written on them in June as part of the Human Rights Flower Movement. Then, one of them was found on the grounds of Nippon Institute of Technology in Saitama Prefecture, about 6 km away, and exchanges between the two schools began.
The on-site classes were planned as part of this exchange, and three classes were held based on a questionnaire survey of children. The first session was ``Understanding the Mechanism of Batteries'' by Professor Masaru Shiraki of the Department of Applied Chemistry (for 3th year students), and the second session was ``Learning about the power of magnets - the strongest magnet in the world'' by Professor Yasuhiro Ikezoe of the Department of Applied Chemistry. ``Let's experiment~'' (for 1th graders), and the third session was held by Professor Yoshiki Higuchi of the Department of Architecture, ``Where do poop and pee go?'' (for 4th graders).
Professor Higuchi's on-site lecture on the theme of ``Where do poop and pee go?'' introduced the use of human waste as compost for vegetable cultivation, as well as examples of efficient use from the Edo period. Topics such as future toilets and circular living were also touched upon, and not only the children but also the school's teachers listened with great interest.
The teachers who were in charge of the on-site classes tried to make the children's learning enjoyable by preparing experiment kits and asking them to answer questions in a quick response format. It seemed very fresh.
At Nippon Institute of Technology, we hope to continue these kinds of exchanges in the future, with the aim of cherishing chance encounters and stimulating children's interest in science.
