In a vibrant effort to promote gender equality and science education, Okayama University, located in Okayama City, hosted a delightful hands-on workshop called "Doki Doki☆Create and Discover! Wow Science Workshop Lab" on July 31, 2025. The event was organized in collaboration with the Sanka Okayama Center, which is dedicated to fostering gender equality initiatives.
The workshop was designed specifically for upper elementary school students and their families, aiming to inspire a passion for science among the younger generation. A total of 17 children, along with their families, participated in this enriching experience. The activities included creating a pet bottle kaleidoscope, designing bookmarks through chromatography, and crafting bath bombs. Each theme allowed the students to delve into the wonders of science while working in teams, fostering collaboration and creativity.
The students displayed immense enthusiasm, attentively listening to the instructors while collaborating with their peers to engage in the activities seriously. Many children proudly showcased their creations to their families, a joyful display of their achievement and excitement. The sense of accomplishment illuminated their faces, creating heartwarming moments throughout the workshop.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing interest in future experiments they'd like to explore. This feedback provides valuable insight for planning upcoming outreach experiments, helping to cultivate an ongoing interest in science among the youth in the community.
Mr. Yoshitomo Sato, Deputy Vice President and Head of the Department of Comprehensive Technology Management at Okayama University, expressed his gratitude toward the team at Sanka Okayama for providing the venue and opportunity for this workshop. He emphasized the importance of hands-on experiments in nurturing the experimental spirit in children, noting how experiences like these build the foundations for future innovators.
The Department of Comprehensive Technology is committed to actively engaging in community initiatives and science education. Collaborating with the Faculty of Engineering, Okayama University is devoted to providing various programs that help children connect with science in enjoyable and relatable ways. This commitment reflects the university's broader mission to be a core research institution, enriching the regional community and fostering a love for learning.
As this workshop demonstrated, initiatives like these are instrumental in guiding the next generation towards a brighter future filled with possibilities. Okayama University continues to look forward to creating more programs that inspire curiosity and engagement with science, making it more accessible for children. Stay tuned for more exciting activities from Okayama University and the Department of Comprehensive Technology as they aim to stimulate creativity and innovation in young minds.