Sakura Science High School Program group visits Science Tokyo

Twenty-nine high school students and supervisors from Peru, the Marshall Islands, Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia visited Institute of Science Tokyo (Science Tokyo) on November 14, 2024, as participants of the Sakura Science High School Program.

The Sakura Science High School Program, coordinated by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), invites outstanding high school students from overseas to Japan and provides them with opportunities to experience the nation’s cutting-edge science and technology, as well as meet top scientists.

At Science Tokyo’s Ookayama Campus, the group was greeted by Executive Vice President for Education Noriyuki Wakabayashi who gave a brief welcome speech. This was followed by an introduction to Science Tokyo by Professor Tomohiro Nozaki from the School of Engineering, who also serves as Deputy Director of Public Relations at the Admissions Center.

Associate Professor Yoichi Yatsu from the School of Science also gave a lecture titled “Development of a Micro-Satellite for Ultraviolet Astronomy and Earth Observation.” This talk gave the visitors an overview of research in time-domain astronomy, which explores the nature of giant explosions in the universe. Yatsu also spoke about the development of the ultraviolet astronomical observation satellite PETREL, as well as a plan to monitor the global environment through industry-academia collaboration using the satellite's excess space.

After the lecture, the high school students were divided into four groups, one for each country. The groups was guided around Ookayama Campus by current students from the School of Environment and Society — two bachelor’s program students from Japan, one master's program student from Japan, and one master's program student from Peru. They had lunch together at Tsubame Terrace before heading to the next venue, the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI). Along the way, the groups had a quick look at some of the Institute’s facilities, such as the library, and enjoyed a stroll through the gingko tree-lined campus.

In the afternoon, the high school students received a brief introduction to ELSI by Associate Director and Principal Investigator John Hernlund. They were also treated to a tour of the ELSI building and a lecture by Associate Professor Harrison Smith on “Will we really be able to tell if there is life on an exoplanet?”

The program ended with a roundtable discussion led by three bachelor’s program students from India, Indonesia, and Thailand, all enrolled in Science Tokyo’s Global Scientists and Engineers Program (GSEP), and one doctoral student from the U.S., enrolled in the School of Life Science and Technology.

The high school students listened attentively to the lectures and explanations given by Science Tokyo faculty and students, and asked many questions throughout the day. Through programs like this, the Institute hopes to continue raising interest in Japanese science, technology, and study abroad opportunities, while actively attracting outstanding international students from abroad.