Empowering Future Generations: MIT Japan STEAM Workshop 2026 Announced

The Japan Chapter of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Alumni Association has unveiled plans to host the MIT Japan STEAM Workshop 2026, in collaboration with the MIT-Japan Program that facilitates Japanese internships for MIT students. This initiative seeks to broaden interest in STEAM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) among young people beginning in 2023.

The 2026 workshop aims to engage the future leaders of Japan in hands-on learning experiences that spark curiosity through questions like “Why?” and “How?” Participants will develop their creativity and investigative skills in a supportive environment. Facilitators will include current MIT students participating in internships in Japan and MIT alumni, who will guide groups through interactive activities, including DNA extraction experiments and the traditional MIT Egg Drop challenge. These hands-on experiences will demonstrate the fun of STEAM and the real-world application of experiments.

Notably, there is a significant gender gap in the percentage of students learning STEM subjects in Japan. To address this disparity, the workshop will exclusively welcome female students from the 5th and 6th grades and 1st year of junior high school, aligning with the Japan MIT Society's goal of contributing to gender equality in education.

The distinguished guest speaker for the workshop will be Ayano Kagami, Director of CIC Catalyst APAC, who specializes in molecular biology and genetics. With her extensive experience from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and MIT, she will inspire participants with her insights into startup support and innovation.

Thanks to generous support from Tokyo Science University (Science Tokyo) and sponsor Kendall Square Ventures, participation in this enriching workshop will be free of charge. The Japan MIT Society encourages young girls eager to explore STEAM and embrace new challenges to apply now.

Event Overview

- Date: July 26, 2026 (Sunday)
- Location: Tokyo Science University, Kuramae Hall, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro City, Tokyo
- Participants: 60 students
- Application Deadline: June 19, 2026, by 23:55
- Eligibility: Female students from 5th and 6th grades and 1st year of junior high school only.

Application Form

To apply, fill out the form here: Application Form

More Information

For more details and the latest updates, visit: MIT Japan STEAM Workshop Page

Sample Schedule

- 9:30 AM: Registration begins
- 10:00 AM: Opening address by hosts
- 10:10 AM: Greeting from Tokyo Science University
- 10:15 AM: Lecture by MIT alumnus
- 10:30 AM: Hands-on experiments (e.g., DNA extraction)
- 12:00 PM: Lunch break (Free lunch provided for students; parents should bring their own lunch)
- 1:00 PM: Group work on prototyping
- 3:00 PM: Closing remarks

Please note that a campus tour at Tokyo Science University is also scheduled for after the main program, and plans may change without notice. Parental attendance is not mandatory. The event will continue rain or shine.

Speaker Profile

Ayano Kagami, Director of CIC Catalyst APAC

Dr. Ayano Kagami specializes in molecular biology and genetics. After obtaining her Ph.D., she joined the Ministry of Education, helping develop research policies in life sciences, and she collaborated on initiatives like the establishment of the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) and the ICT transformation of primary and secondary education. In 2017, she studied at MIT focused on the startup ecosystem. After returning to Japan in 2019, she undertook responsibilities in science, technology, and innovation policy, including fusion research, before joining CIC in July 2021. Dr. Kagami serves as the Assistant Director of the CIC Institute, overseeing startup support programs in life sciences and internationalization efforts for startups. She graduated from the University of Tokyo with a degree in biochemistry, later completing her master's in the same field at the university’s graduate school.

About MIT-Japan Program

Established in 1981, the MIT-Japan Program allows MIT students to work and conduct research in Japanese universities, companies, and institutions. The program encourages knowledge enhancement and contributions to global challenges by connecting MIT students with top researchers and firms in Japan. It has been active in Japan since 2011, building partnerships with local authorities and educational institutions, and has been conducting STEAM workshops in Miyagi Prefecture since 2017.

About the Japan MIT Society

Founded in 1911 as the first alumni association outside the United States, the Japan MIT Society has a rich history of 115 years. It includes graduates from various MIT programs and currently has over 1,900 members, making it one of the largest MIT alumni associations worldwide. The society aims to foster continued connections among alumni and broaden STEAM engagement among the youth as they prepare to address global challenges.