#Japan #Shizuoka #Sunshine Aquarium #BANDAI SPIRITS #Clean Ocean Academy

Join Us for a Unique Ocean Plastic Workshop

The Sunshine Aquarium in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, is teaming up with the city of Shizuoka and BANDAI SPIRITS to host a special educational event on January 24, aimed at families and children. This workshop not only focuses on the critical issue of marine plastic but also encourages students and their parents to get involved in environmental conservation.

Event Overview

The workshop, titled Ocean Trash Problem Learning Workshop, will be held at the Sunshine City Co-Creation Space, directly beneath the aquarium. Participants will be guided through a variety of engaging activities designed to shed light on the marine plastic problem, including:

• - Interactive Lectures: Led by aquarium staff focusing on the ecology of African penguins (known locally as Cape penguins) and the impacts of ocean plastics.
• - Video Presentations: Detailing the causes and initiatives surrounding marine plastic waste.
• - Hands-On Model Building: Attendees will construct a model that incorporates some marine plastic waste, blending education with creativity.
• - Feedback Surveys: Participants will be asked to share their learning outcomes and shifts in awareness following the workshop.

With two scheduled sessions at 10:30 AM and 2:00 PM, each accommodating up to 30 families, the best part is that this workshop is free of charge, although aquarium entrance fees apply. Registration is required through the Asoview platform, so don’t miss out on this unique opportunity!

Making Environmental Education Engaging

This initiative marks the first collaboration between the Sunshine Aquarium and BANDAI SPIRITS as part of their joint program, the Clean Ocean Academy. This educational package aims to create awareness amongst youth about ocean plastic while encouraging them to take action at home. The program is aligned with Japan’s Environmental Ministry sponsored campaign, Plastics Smart, which promotes various stakeholders to engage in collective action against marine waste.

Three Key Aspects of the Workshop

1. Personal Engagement with Ocean Futures: Designed for families, this program aims to create easy conversation topics at home about the issues of marine plastics and encourages small everyday actions for improvement.
2. Enhanced Learning Through Experience: The workshop combines lectures and hands-on activities, allowing participants to connect with marine life and understand the implications of plastic pollution from their perspectives, particularly through observing African penguins.
3. Promoting Awareness Throughout the Region: In support of the Environmental Ministry’s regional initiatives, this event seeks to elevate awareness and usage of the Clean Ocean Academy across metropolitan areas aligned with its nationwide rollout slated for October 2025.

Understanding Ocean Plastic

Marine plastic is primarily waste that finds its way to ocean waters from land sources, leading to severe ecological consequences including endangerment to marine life through ingestion and entanglement. While significant efforts are being made to reduce single-use plastics and enhance waste management systems, the challenge of microplastics remains obstinate. The potential for plastic weight in oceans to surpass that of fish by the year 2050 is alarming and necessitates widespread action.

The Role of the Clean Ocean Academy

The Clean Ocean Academy, developed by Shizuoka City and BANDAI SPIRITS, serves as a gateway to educate the younger generation about marine waste issues and has launched locally in schools, with national outreach planned for 2025. This initiative aims to foster behavioral change through learning and action within educational settings.

Statements from Organizers

Shizuoka City

The city prioritizes environmental education to combat plastic waste and promote proper waste management practices. Through initiatives like the Clean Ocean Academy, the city aims to expand educational opportunities regarding marine plastic across schools and communities.

BANDAI SPIRITS

BANDAI SPIRITS continues its commitment to sustainability through initiatives that link model-building with environmental consciousness. The collaboration with the Sunshine Aquarium represents a step towards involving children in global environmental issues, allowing them to advocate for positive change.

Sunshine Aquarium

At the aquarium, efforts to combat marine plastic extend beyond education. Regular activities like beach cleanups further integrate community actions aimed at reducing plastic pollution. The focus remains on engaging visitors to relate directly to the realities of marine life impacted by pollution.

This workshop, not only offers educational benefits, promotes family engagement, and fosters a community of informed young participants who are eager to take charge of their environmental futures. Join us at the Sunshine Aquarium and become a part of this forward-thinking movement towards cleaner oceans.