Tokyo's First Kirari Science Fes! Inspires Girls in STEM Fields

On March 8th, coinciding with International Women's Day, Tokyo hosted the inaugural Kirari ☆ Science Fes! at the Tokyo Innovation Base. This event aimed to encourage middle and elementary school girls to explore the exciting possibilities within STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, broadening their future career options. The event attracted a total of 356 participants, including girls and their parents, who enjoyed four stage performances and six hands-on experiences showcasing various technologies.

A Call for Change

During the opening remarks, Deputy Governor Akiko Matsumoto emphasized that Japan holds the lowest percentage of women graduates in STEM fields among the 38 OECD countries, at just 17.5%. The Tokyo survey revealed that as children grow, they often perceive job suitability as related to gender, which reinforces stereotypes that may limit their aspirations. Matsumoto urged the audience, stating, "Girls excel at math and science on a global scale. Governor Koike has also stated that not utilizing women's capabilities is a waste. We want to create real change here."

He expressed hope that the event would nurture excitement among girls through relatable science experiences, such as makeup and fashion, allowing them and their parents to unlock numerous future possibilities.

Engaging Science Shows

The main stage was alive with science shows and live performances from prominent female guests. Science entertainer Mitsuki Igarashi led a segment titled “Amazing Discoveries in Everyday Science!” where the popular comedy duo Ganbarelyu performed live experiments demonstrating how cream transforms into butter. The audience erupted in laughter as the duo passionately shook bottles, involved in a butter-making competition with five children.

The excitement escalated when Igarashi and the girls cheered each other on, embodying a deeply united atmosphere in which everyone shared in the fun. Another segment featured mathematician Sachiko Nakajima, who brought sound to life by visualizing sound waves in real-time during a live performance. Children learned math through music, discovering the hidden connections between the two subjects.

Interactive and Insightful Experiences

Throughout the venue, various booths provided hands-on experiences, especially targeting the interests of young girls in beauty and fashion. These interactive exhibits allowed children to engage with the underlying technologies shaping their everyday lives, significantly widening their outlook on future careers.
Beauty Serum Creation (Anfar Corporation): Children measured glycerin and other ingredients to create their own serum, amazed at how simple it was.
Warmth and Aroma Science Lab (Kao Corporation): Participants directly felt the difference between air with and without steam, learning through expert explanations about thermal conductivity.
Motion Capture Adventure (Sophia University's Faculty of Science and Technology): Equipped with facial markers, children played with motion capture technology, transforming their physical expressions into digital data.
Fashion Tech (ZOZO, Inc.): Young participants explored ways technology intersects with fashion, utilizing smartphone apps to measure body dimensions precisely.
Jellyfish Workshop (steAm): In this creative session, children animated their drawn jellyfish on screen, seamlessly merging art, science, and technology.
Accessory Creation (TIB FAB): Youngsters learned about industrial materials, creating their own accessories with bright charms and wires, taking home personalized creations.

Voices of the Future

The event concluded with several testimonials from attending girls expressing newfound enthusiasm for science and acknowledging that it was not as intimidating as previously thought. Quotes like, "I used to think science was difficult, but now I see it's fun!" echoed throughout the venue, highlighting the pivotal impact of experiences like the Kirari☆Science Fes!

Event Summary

Date: March 8, 2023, from 13:30 to 16:30
Location: Tokyo Innovation Base, 2nd Floor, Marunouchi 3-8-3, Chiyoda, Tokyo
Attendees: 356 participants, including girls, their families, and industry experts who were eager to share their insights.

The success of the Kirari Science Fes! indicates a positive step towards encouraging the next generation of women to embrace science and technology, fostering an inclusive environment where curiosity can thrive.