#Japan #environmental education #Okayama #Okayama University #Dragonfly School

Engaging Workshop on Dragonflies at Okayama University

On July 27, 2025, Okayama University, located in Okayama City, held an engaging public workshop entitled "Dragonfly School: Learn About Dragonflies by Collecting Them at Okayama University!" This initiative saw participation from 102 parents and children, including 45 elementary school students, showcasing the impressive turnout for this insightful event.

Organized by second-year students from the Environmental Management course at the Faculty of Engineering, this workshop was a part of the "Biodiversity Conservation Project Committee for the Birth Pond." It was co-hosted with Wesco Corporation and the Okayama Prefectural Environmental Conservation Foundation, supported by the Chugoku-Shikoku Regional Office of the Ministry of the Environment and the Okayama City Board of Education. The enthusiasm for the program was palpable, as it reached maximum capacity the very next day after applications opened.

The workshop commenced with a welcoming speech from Professor Mamoru Maeda, the head of the Environmental Management course and the academic head of the Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology. He engaged the children by asking if they liked fish or frogs, and their enthusiastic responses exemplified their excitement for the day ahead.

Hands-On Learning Experience

Following the opening ceremony, participants moved outdoors for a hands-on activity where they learned about dragonfly collection. Led by Yasuhiro Karitani from Wesco Corporation, an alumnus of Okayama University, the children gathered around the university's water circulation facility, the Birth Pond, and successfully collected approximately ten different species of dragonflies.

Afterward, the group returned to the lecture room in the Environmental Science and Technology Building, where they learned more about dragonfly species and their intriguing ecological roles alongside their parents.

Additional engaging activities included observations through microscopes by the Okayama Prefectural Environmental Conservation Foundation and exhibitions presented by the Environmental Management course’s applied ecology laboratory, such as "Exciting Waterside Museum—Let’s Meet Creatures Living in Okayama." They also participated in crafting posters entitled "Catch the Wind and Let the Dragonflies Soar into the Future!", encouraging creativity while learning about biodiversity.

Collaborative Learning and Fun

In the poster-making activity, children used colored pencils to illustrate dragonflies, contributing their artwork to a collective poster that showcased a vibrant and colorful final piece. This collaborative effort culminated in a group photo taken in front of the completed poster, capturing the joy of their accomplishments together.

The workshop concluded with a lively quiz session titled “Uncover the Secrets of Dragonflies and Okayama University.” Students crafted uniquely amusing questions, such as whether Okayama University students wear uniforms, prompting much deliberation among the children. Each correct answer was met with cheers, creating an electrifying atmosphere of joy and engagement.

In the closing remarks, Kazuma Yamane, chairman of the Biodiversity Conservation Project Committee, highlighted the significance of ecology and engineering in ensuring effective environmental management. He emphasized the role of applied ecological engineering in civic works, advocating for the integration of ecological understanding into infrastructure projects that consider local biodiversity.

Future Endeavors

The Environmental Management course at Okayama University stands out by offering unique education that emphasizes a harmonious relationship between human activities and environmental sustainability. Their commitment to fostering ecological preservation through engineering methodologies is recognized as a leading practice in the field. As they continue contributing to the community and enhancing research capabilities as a regional core and unique research university, expectations are high for their future initiatives.

Stay tuned for more innovative educational programs and projects from Okayama University as they pave the way for the next generation of environmental stewards.