#Japan #Tokyo #SDGs #Japan Home Shield #summer workshop

A Fun and Educational Exploration of Soil for Families

On August 5th, Japan Home Shield, a leading authority in residential ground surveys based in Sumida, Tokyo, held an engaging event titled "Discover the Wonders of Soil: Glowing Doro-dango Workshop 2025." This workshop was designed for elementary school children and their parents, providing an opportunity for creative summer vacation research while learning about the essential role of soil in our lives.

The event attracted participants who were eager to dive into hands-on learning experiences, especially considering that over 5,000 students have previously attended related workshops hosted in schools. Children and their parents were led by experienced facilitators through fun lessons about soil, and participated in activities focused on creating glowing doro-dango (mud balls) while understanding the significance of soil in disaster prevention and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Parents voiced their excitement, stating how the event was not only enjoyable, but also enriched their children's understanding of soil as they engaged in their summer research projects. Many feedbacks highlighted the joy of seeing the glowing doro-dango and the learning moments that accompanied touching and playing with the soil.

Background and Purpose of the Event

Japan Home Shield has been conducting outreach programs for students since 2014, aiming to educate them about the fascinating world of soil. As an expert company in ground quality, it has been noted that children today have fewer opportunities to interact with soil in outdoor settings such as parks and school grounds. Thus, the initiative seeks to inspire curiosity and joy in learning about soil, fostering a deeper appreciation for the groundwork that supports our everyday lives.

This summer event was specifically tailored as an amazing opportunity for families to collaboratively create glowing doro-dango while contemplating disaster preparedness and sustainability, aligning the activities with educational objectives.

Educational Insights: Understanding Soil and Its Role in Our Environment

During the workshop, participants were introduced to the concept of SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Educators emphasized the importance of understanding the land on which we live, revealing how individual understanding can contribute to building safe, sustainable communities. By engaging with soil in a playful environment, children were encouraged to think critically about urban planning and the underlying ground conditions that influence their surroundings.

As part of the curriculum, children learned about local geography and soil quality simply by looking at place names. For instance, terms like "Nitta" and "Noda" hint at marshy ground. Around 20% of the audience discovered that their own neighborhood names had connections to the soil, which surprised many.

Addressing Natural Disasters: The Impact of Soil Quality

Participants explored soil properties and associated disaster risks using digital resources like the "Ground Support Map." They learned about liquefaction, seeing firsthand the impact of an earthquake simulation kit. As students engaged in these experiments, they learned valuable lessons on safety and preparedness regarding earthquakes and the inherent risks based on soil conditions.

Parents reflected on the importance of such discussions, stating that opportunities for collaborative thinking, particularly revolving around natural disasters and preventing hazards, are scarce but valuable.

Engaging Workshop on Glowing Doro-dango

The highlight of the workshop included a hands-on session where kids got their hands dirty crafting glowing doro-dango. Facilitators guided families as they created their mud balls, emphasizing the soil properties in the process. The excitement in the room surged when the doro-dango began to glow, providing a tangible connection to the lesson on soil texture — how moist soil can be soft and dry soil more robust.

Feedback from parents was overwhelmingly positive, noting their children's intense engagement and how rewarding it was to participate together in an educational context.

Meet the Educator

Kotarou Takechi
Group Leader, Ground Technology Research Institute
Japan Home Shield Inc.
With over a decade of experience since joining the company, Kotarou is dedicated to advancing ground safety awareness and quality assessment. He also serves as a part-time lecturer at Tokyo Polytechnic University, enriching the next generation's understanding and appreciation of building safe communities.

For those interested, Japan Home Shield is committed to providing educational resources that foster understanding of ground safety and disaster preparedness for future generations. Their headquarters are located in Ryogoku City Core, Sumida, ensuring local community engagement.

Discover more about their initiatives at Japan Home Shield.