Based on the 6th Basic Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation and the 5th Basic Plan for Gender Equality, the Japan Science and Technology Agency has implemented various programs to increase the interest and interest of female junior high and high school students in science and engineering fields and to aspire to pursue a career in the sciences. To support these efforts, we are implementing the ``Science Career Selection Support Program for Female Junior High and High School Students.''

　In FY2024, there were 30 applications for program implementing organizations, and the following seven organizations were selected. As a result, the number of implementing organizations in 7 will be 2024.

◆Ichinoseki National College of Technology “Iwate Girls’ “Rikakatsu” ~ Developing with “Design Thinking”! Hometown Innovation ~”
Targeting mainly junior high and high school girls in the southern region of Iwate Prefecture, we will use design thinking, generative AI, science and engineering knowledge, etc. to provide a new manufacturing experience that takes advantage of regional characteristics. Current female students will serve as TAs (teaching assistants) and will interact with female graduate students engaged in research in Iwate Prefecture and female engineers working at local companies.

◆Kanagawa Institute of Technology “Kanagawa Techno Future Program for Female Students: Making dreams come true through science”
The Kanagawa Institute of Technology, located in Atsugi City in the central area of ​​Kanagawa Prefecture, where technology companies that will create the future are concentrated and have bases, is working with the Kanagawa Prefecture Board of Education and local companies to provide information to junior high and high school girls throughout Kanagawa Prefecture. A program that aims to develop female engineering personnel who will support the manufacturing industry.

◆Yamanashi Prefectural University “Positive Chain Program that spreads through manufacturing - Experience the chain of encounters that will find your future!”
In Yamanashi Prefecture, where there are small and medium-sized enterprises with excellent technological capabilities, their awareness is low, and there is a strong unconscious bias in women's career choices. We will provide a chain of encounters with others, and build a system that allows that network to function sustainably.

◆Nara Women's University "Project to expand the base of female science and engineering students and promote career choices"
For female junior high and high school students in Nara Prefecture, Nara Colleges (Nara Women's University, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Nara University of Education, and Nara National College of Technology) are collaborating with the Nara Prefectural Board of Education and the Irie Taikichi Memorial Nara City Museum of Photography. , DMG Mori Seiki Co., Ltd., and Sato Yakuhin Kogyo Co., Ltd. will work together to support students in choosing science and engineering careers.

◆ Kitakyushu City University “Science Lab from Kitakyushu, a science career support project for junior high and high school students and their parents”
Mainly targeted at junior high school girls who are about to choose their career path, and their parents (PTA), we will hold on-site lectures, science cafes, roundtable discussions, experiments and manufacturing experiences to increase their interest in science. We will also provide information on career paths in the sciences, and provide support for choosing a science career (alleviating concerns about pursuing a science career).

◆Saga University “Continuing and nurturing STEAM Girls Consortium”
Four universities and one technical college (Saga University, Nishi-Kyushu University, Nagasaki International University, Sasebo National College of Technology, and Kurume Institute of Technology) collaborate to provide specialized lectures, experimental experience sessions, and university facilities for female junior high and high school students living in northwestern Kyushu. In addition to holding field trips and science field tours at local companies, we also hold a ``Rike Festival for junior high and high school girls'' once a year.

◆Kumamoto University “Habatake! Kumamoto Science Girls (Girls, Enjoy Science!)”
We will hold ``Science Role Model Lectures,'' ``Satellite Seminars,'' on-site classes, ``Parent-Child Girls School,'' where parents and children can try out experiences and experiments, and ``Tell Me! Seniors,'' where current female science students provide science learning and career counseling. The aim is to encourage students to become familiar with science from the secondary school stage, to experience the fun and excitement of science, and to stimulate interest in science.

Reference: [Japan Science and Technology Agency Science and Mathematics Learning Promotion Department] “Science Career Selection Support Program for Female Junior High and High School Students” Decision on selected institutions in 2026 (PDF)