The purpose of "Rikojuku" is to raise children's interest in science and to let them know the joy of experimentation, manufacturing, and taking on challenges.The planning and operation is carried out by the "Science and Technology School Support Team" centered on students of Shizuoka Institute of Science and Technology, and every summer vacation, university teachers and university students act as instructors to hold science classes and workshops. ..

　The course to be held on October 10 is "Running chemical robots! Let's make oil droplets that run like living things".Associate Professor Tsutomu Minamisai of the Department of Materials and Life Sciences will be the instructor, and just as a robot vacuum cleaner collects garbage by itself, it collects what is dissolved in water and makes oil that moves around "on its own". ..This oil not only collects garbage in the water, but also works as fuel, so it looks like a living organism that moves around in search of food.Junior high school students design and compete to keep such unique "chemical robots" running faster and longer.

　The lecture on November 11 is "Transform with temperature and light! Let's touch the mysterious plastic".Associate Professor Yohei Kodobashi of the Department of Materials and Life Sciences, a polymer specialist, will be the instructor and learn the secrets of plastics.We will investigate the characteristics of plastics by actually touching a rare and mysterious plastic and using a small experimental device that can be made from a material of about 28 yen.You can also see a big machine that costs 500 million yen to specially investigate plastics this time.

　Participation fee is free for both courses, and the capacity is 20 people. The recruitment for the course on October 10rd has ended, and we are currently recruiting participants for the course scheduled to be held on November 3th.Those who wish to participate need to apply from the application form of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.The application deadline is November 11, but it will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

　In addition, when holding the "Rikojuku", as measures to prevent infection with the new coronavirus, we thoroughly measure the temperature when visiting school, wear a mask at all times, disinfect hands and fingers, wear a face guard during experiments and training, thoroughly ventilate the facilities used, and sit down. Take measures such as ensuring an appropriate distance for intervals and conversations, calling attention to avoid conversations without masks, and clearly separating eating and drinking times and discussion times.

Reference: [Shizuoka Institute of Science and Technology] Science and Technology School