Science Teaches Japanese Children to Value the World

It's just before 2:00 PM, and Japan's beloved humanoid robot ASIMO is about to show up. At the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, known locally as Miraikan, in Tokyo's Odaiba district, a lot of activities are going on.

There, scores of "bright yellow caps" -- Japanese elementary school children -- were dashing to the ASIMO display area. They were anxiously waiting for ASIMO's arrival, while jostling among each other for a better view.

Science can heal the world

"We bring the children from grades five and six here twice a year, as they learn so much from the hands-on displays, presentations and guides," said Miyuki Yamagishi, a teacher from Kumagaya Nishi Elementary School in Tokyo's neighboring Saitama.

"We try to teach them that this is their world, their universe; it belongs to them, and they should be proud of and take care of it as individuals, as a group, as a society and as a nation of global citizens," she said.

Megumi Kano, who was one of the enthusiastic school students visiting the national museum, told Xinhua: "Today I learned that science is really important for our future, and scientists can make new inventions that can help our universe.

"I'd love to go to space one day like Mr. Mohri," she said with a beaming face.

Dr. Mamoru Mohri, Japan's first astronaut, ignited the imaginations of tens of thousands of Japanese with his adventures in space in 1992 and 2000. He is now the director of the national museum.

As a father of three children, Mohri said he wished to inspire a whole new generation of people who are interested in science.

"Kids are always interested in something new. However, schools have to teach principles -- the fundamentals of science -- and sometimes the kids feel such a traditional type of science is boring," he said. "If we can show them something that interests them, then we can support the basic learnings in a more interesting way."

Miraikan could teach children about how fragile the earth is and how to be environmentally responsible citizens and spread the message to others, he added.

Taking eco-friendly messages home

The 41st Tokyo Motor Show 2009, held between October 23 and November 4 with a theme of "Fun Driving for Us, Eco Driving for Earth," has focused on introducing green-tech vehicles.

During the show, hundreds of yellow-capped children, enraptured by those cool new concepts of cars, were darting from one display to another. The show also exhibited children's drawings that depicted their thoughts on future transportation.

Shosuke Tanaka, 6, designed a car with no exhaust pipes, but a highlighted word, "HYBRID," is running on a forest road. It tells a story about how driving can be fun, cool and clean in the future.

Shotaro Murakami, 4, drew a bubble-shaped battery-powered vehicle with rotors on its top, resembling a helicopter. He said the sky would be the limit with this kind of future automobile.

"It was a great idea for kids to learn the importance of low emission cars, hybrid technology and the positive impact these cars can bring to the environment through personal experience," said Tomomitsu Kunii, a teacher from Miyoshi Elementary School in Chiba City.

"I'm not expecting they could fully understand the eco-technology," she said. "But as long as they get the message that these new types of cars could help protect the environment, the trip will be an educational success."

"At school we learn a lot about the environment and how we must take care of it because the world is being damaged by pollution," Minami Endo, one of Kunii's students, explained.

"We all know the word 'eco,' and it's important to recycle our garbage. We have to take care of the earth," she added.

"Eco" has become a new buzzword for young Japanese children, and "being eco-friendly" has become a fashion for them nowadays. Unlike other fashion trends, which usually pass, it looks as if for Japanese children, being environmentally aware and responsible is a lasting trend.

(Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2009)