#Japan #Tokyo #High School #Edutainment #Future Wings

Launch of the Future Wings Project

In an exciting initiative, the International Edutainment Association (IEA) in Tokyo has announced the launch of its Future Wings Project. This educational program aims to distribute free exploratory educational materials to 10,000 high school students across Japan. The purpose is to deepen students' understanding of societal issues and inspire them to consider their future careers. The first application period is set from May 26 to June 30, 2025.

Background of the Project

The Future Wings Project was conceived in response to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's decision to introduce a new subject called 'Comprehensive Study Time' in high schools starting in 2022. This new curriculum allocates two hours per week for inquiry-based learning, allowing students to apply their knowledge to real-life challenges and reflect on their future paths. However, educators have faced challenges in effectively engaging students, citing difficulties in fostering student autonomy and collaborating with external organizations.

According to research by Katari-ba, about 95% of teachers involved in inquiry learning report feeling various challenges, particularly in designing lesson plans, expanding understanding within schools regarding inquiry-based learning, and avoiding superficial learning outcomes limited to research.

The Future Wings Project's Approach

To address these challenges, the IEA has developed the Future Wings Project, which integrates education and entertainment—termed 'edutainment.' This initiative comes from the desire to provide high-quality materials for both public and private schools at no cost. Many schools face financial barriers to accessing effective educational programs, leading to a significant number of them missing out on valuable resources.

The materials for the Future Wings Project include case studies from various companies designed to guide students through inquiry activities. There will be four chapters focusing on different themes, each featuring a 'Chapter Question' to promote critical thinking and a related prompt to facilitate exploration.

Summary of Educational Materials

• - Number of Chapters: 4 (Providing 8 to 12 hours of educational content)
• - Page Count: 14
• - Partner Organizations include:

- Yokogawa Electric Corporation: "How to Design the Future: Unlocking Possibilities through Scenario Planning"
- Edutainment-Lab: "A New Shape of Learning: The Digital Transformation of Education"
- Motherhouse Co., Ltd.: "The Shape of Sustainable Manufacturing"
- Sapporo Co-op: "Sustainable Parenting Support: Co-op Sapporo’s Parenting Support Project"

Exercises Included

• - Chapter Questions: Open-ended questions to be addressed in presentations.
• - Case Studies: Articles featuring company case studies ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 words, along with the URLs.
• - Prompts for Exploration: Questions to help students engage with the Chapter Questions.
• - Worksheets: Activities that connect to students' career paths and future considerations.

Learning Flow

Students will begin by reading the Chapter Questions to grasp the overarching theme. They will learn about corporate activities through detailed articles and work on the exploration prompts to develop and refine their thoughts. Finally, they will return to the Chapter Questions to create and present their proposals and solutions.

Eligibility and Application

To apply, schools in Japan can submit applications for the program, with up to 300 free copies available per school. The application period for the first phase will be closed on June 30, 2025, with shipments beginning shortly thereafter.

Comments from Key Contributors

Mina Harada, the development officer for the Future Wings Project, shared her excitement about providing these valuable resources, reflecting on her own high school experience and the importance of diverse learning materials. Shunsuke Mori, the IEA’s representative director, expressed his commitment to addressing educational inequalities, emphasizing the need for accessible educational services for all students.

Conclusion

The Future Wings Project represents a significant step in enhancing educational opportunities for high school students, enabling them to engage deeply with important societal issues while considering their futures. By providing free resources and fostering collaboration between education and industry, this project aims to empower the next generation of leaders.

For more details and to apply, please visit the official application form: Application Form.