This year’s “JAIMA Summer Science School” ended successfully.
What is JAIMA Summer Science School ?
The purpose of this program is to encourage junior high and high school students in the Tokyo metropolitan area and the Kansai area to gain a better understanding of analytical instruments and technologies that support various industries and to increase their interest in science and technology by giving participants hands-on experience with analytical instruments. In the wake of the "ICAS 2011 Extension Lecture" held in May 2011, this program has been organized by the JAIMA Technical Affairs Committee since 2012.
Last year, due to the influence of COVID-19, the event was held online, with limited participation by schools and limited numbers of people, but this year's JAIMA Summer Science School 2022 was held on-site at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation for the first time in 3 years, marking the 10-year anniversary of its launch in 2012. (The 2020 event was cancelled due to the influence of COVID-19.)
Overview on the day of the event
Total of 33 participants, 24 from the Kanto region and 9 from the Kansai region, participated this year, and the participants were divided into small groups of 2 person. Each group received an overview of one model of equipment for 1 hour, and three models of equipment were explained, and hands-on training was given. The participants worked with each of the 13 cooperating companies on the technical Affairs committee composed of JAIMA members. The training was conducted with the main focus on the participants thinking independently and operating the equipment themselves, and it was the first face-to-face training in a long time, and it was impressive to see the participants engaging in it with great fun and seriousness.
Infection control measures to ensure that the meeting is held in person at the same time as a group meeting. In addition to providing education on testing and testing methods, antigen test kits will be distributed to those who wish to have a chance to experience self-testing, and test kit manufacturer "Fujifilm Corporation", gave us a lecture on inspection methods, and we were able to deepen our understanding of inspection.
At the beginning of the training, Professor Naoko Kasai of Tokyo Metropolitan University gave a lecture on "Researching Analytical Chemistry: Sensing with Nanowires." The content was very interesting because it was easy to understand through the teacher's research about being a full-time student at a university, and they also incorporated advanced content to stimulate middle and high school students.
Future prospects
In recent years, STEAM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Arts/Mathematics) education has been attracting attention in Japan.
JAIMA will continue to consider holding events for junior high and high school students, including summer science schools, with the aim of conveying the fun of science and analytical instruments.
