#Japan #Bunkyo Gakuin #Fujimino #Children's University

Bunkyo Gakuin University Launches Children's University Fujimino Program

Bunkyo Gakuin University, under the leadership of President Tsutomu Fukui, will hold the 2023 edition of the 'Children's University Fujimino' in collaboration with the Higashi Iruma Youth Chamber of Commerce and Fujimino City. The event will take place over the weekend of December 13th and 14th, catering to elementary school students from the local area.

In celebration of Fujimino City's 20th anniversary, this year’s theme will be “Gently Installing Dreams and Concrete: Learning about Our Town Through Formwork.” The program is designed for students in grades 4 to 6 and aims to foster an understanding of a diverse, harmonious society. It will also provide opportunities for children to nurture their intellectual curiosity.

The program will be managed by Assistant Professor Yu Shobuzawa from the Faculty of Human Studies at the university, alongside instructors who are faculty members and students. The participants will engage in three areas of study: “Wonder Learning” (exploring the principles and mechanisms of various subjects), “Hometown Learning” (developing a love and understanding for their local area), and “Life Learning” (reflecting on their lives and futures). This framework will encourage children to grow alongside their peers.

Overview of the Children's University Fujimino 2023

• - Target Audience: Elementary school students enrolled or residing in Fujimino City (Grades 4-6)
• - Capacity: 20 students (Current enrollment closed)
• - Venue: Bunkyo Gakuin University Fujimino Campus (1196 Kamekubo, Fujimino City)
• - Theme: Gently Installing Dreams and Concrete: Learning about Our Town Through Formwork

Schedule

• - Day 1: December 13 (Saturday) 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM

- Entrance Ceremony (1:00 PM – 1:10 PM)
- Lecture 1: “Living 20 Years in Fujimino” (Life Learning and Hometown Learning)
Instructor: Current students of Bunkyo Gakuin University
Outline: Learning the significance of living together with the town through the experiences of senior students who grew up in Fujimino.
- Lecture 2: “Creating My Treasure with Concrete” (Wonder Learning)
Instructor: Sho Shirato, Vice President of Shirato Construction Company
Outline: Understanding the handling of concrete while experiencing the joy of manufacturing.

• - Day 2: December 14 (Sunday) 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

- Lecture 3: “Experiencing the Beginning of Construction: Special Lecture for Fujimino City’s 20th Anniversary” (Wonder Learning)
Instructor: Sho Shirato, Vice President of Shirato Construction Company
Outline: Engaging with the foundation-building process to learn about how a town starts to develop.
- Lecture 4: “Our Lives in Fujimino 10 Years from Now” (Hometown Learning)
Instructor: Assistant Professor Yu Shobuzawa, Faculty of Human Studies
Outline: Imagining one’s self and the town of Fujimino a decade into the future, and picturing the future of their community.
- Graduation Ceremony (11:30 AM – 12:00 PM)

The program promises to be an enriching experience for young minds, encouraging them to explore their environment, learn together, and envision the future of their community. Through hands-on experiences and engaging discussions, students will develop a deeper understanding of their town and cultivate valuable life skills.