Science Island that is unique facilitie
Science Island (SI) fosters aspirations to contribute to society through science
At Science Island, various programs are held to foster aspirations and skills for science with the goal of “cultivating women who contribute to society through science.” Many students are earnestly learning to learn how to find the best solution from the information and data obtained through observations and experiments.
Scientist time
Scientist time is the time to learn exploratory methods in the natural sciences. All students will take this course. During this time, students learn the general methods of scientific research-observations, hypotheses, experiments and results.
■ 1st year scientist
You will acquire the means to collect the information necessary for thinking, such as “observation” and “experimental operation”. We also provide opportunities for evidence-based consideration using the information obtained.
■ 2nd year scientist
After making a temporary hypothesis about the presented problem, we will think about a method to test the hypothesis by ourselves and actually conduct an experiment. We also have time to explore expressions that convey the results and considerations of our experiments to people correctly and effectively.
■ Basic inquiry
“Inquiry time” is a class to learn statistical processing by Excel and challenge a simple social research.
It will be conducted jointly by faculty members of mathematics and social studies.
■ Science Research Challenge Class
The Science Research Challenge Class is a program that students can choose in their third year of junior high school.
Students will do fieldwork on Iriomote Island in Okinawa in May.
After that, the students will be divided into three research areas and will engage in research activities in the natural sciences.
Main research activities
■ Robot Research Group
Under the guidance of a professor at Tokyo Metropolitan University, you are divided into teams to develop robots. In the fiscal year of 2020, we developed a robot that erases whiteboards, a robot that sprays disinfectant while autonomously traveling, and an underwater drone-type robot that observes underwater creatures.
■ PC (Personal Computer) Research Group
Through programming and various applications, you will acquire skills, applied skills, and logical thinking skills.
So far, we have engaged in a wide range of production activities, including visual programming using Scratch and MIT App Inventor 2, 3D modeling and projection mapping using 3D CAD “Fusin 360”, and video analysis and production. In recent years, we have been developing applications and games using the programming language “Python”, which is also used for AI.
■ Biological Research Group
Students set their own themes and engage in research using familiar creatures as samples. Examples of research include “Growth environment of Hylotelephium vulgaris”, “Water purification of Asari”, “Color vision and visual field of Neocaridina genus Minaminuma shrimp”, “Regeneration of goldfish uroko”, “Suppression of cell division of microorganisms”, “Take from commercially available seeds and fruits”, “Comparison of seed germination and development status” and so on.
In addition, we are continuously researching the following themes with the guidance of university professors.
“Study of species characteristics in germination and rooting of mangrove embryonic seeds”
(Ryukyu University Tropical Materials Research Center, International Mangrove Ecosystem Association)
We are interested in the differences in the characteristics and distribution of each magrove tree species on Iriomote Island, and we are researching with the aim of clarifying the germination and rooting characteristics of plants and returning them to the field of the results of cultivation experiments. Oral presentations are made at the “Mangrove Society Conference” held in December every year (the year of production is held online). The research themes announced last year are as follows.
Distribution and initial growth characteristics of mangrove diaspore (senior high school 1st year)
To think about the salt tolerance of mangroves, the salt tolerance of familiar vegetables, growing embryonic seeds of mangroves at home, and the Mauritius heavy oil spill accident (junior high school 3rd year)
Research activities by a specially appointed researcher (SI club)
The SI club is divided into a chemistry group, a physics group, a biology group, and a mathematics group, and conducts research activities according to the themes set by each group. As a specially appointed research member, SI members are engaged in activities to raise interest in Yamawaki’s science through the announcement of research activities. Here, you can continue your research according to your own theme throughout the five years from junior high school 1st year to senior high school 2nd year. Depending on the theme, we also provide a place for presentations at academic conferences, etc. with the guidance of university professors.
Science class (High school)
Students who have completed the Science Research Challenge Program in the third year of junior high school can continue to select high school science classes for research activities.
Students who choose a high school science class will be required to take data science (information class) and science English (English class).
