Spirited Presentations by High School Students: 6th SCORE!

Okinawa’s high school students presented their excellent science and entrepreneurial ideas.

On Saturday, December 9, 2017, the 6th annual “SCORE! Science in Okinawa: Research for Enterprise” took place at OIST. The event, which began in 2012, is an annual competition for Okinawa’s high school students in which participants present science projects with business plans. OIST Vice President for Communication and Public Relations Neil Calder explains, “SCORE! is different from many other science competitions because it combines excellent science projects with first-class presentations. In the world today, both in science and business, highly developed communication skills are required. Therefore, SCORE! is a great training opportunity for participants.”

National Institute of Technology, Okinawa College team awarded 2nd prize for the 6th SCORE!

This year, twelve teams were selected from ten high schools to take part in the competition. Nearly all science projects were related to local problems or used Okinawan resources. The students’ high-quality presentations showed their enthusiasm and affection for Okinawa. 

Students who took part of the 6th SCORE!

The panel of judges, from OIST, the American Consulate General and the American Chamber of Commerce, had difficulty choosing the winners but the first prize, a study tour to California along with an opportunity to do an internship at OIST, was awarded to the team from Misato Senior High School for the project “The Second Life of Eggshell Membranes as New Materials”. Second prize went to the National Okinawa College of Technology for their project “A Study on Effective Folklore Methods for Uta-sanshin; Transferring Ryukyuan Classical Performing Arts to the World.” Third prize went to another team from the National Okinawa College of Technology for the project “A System for Collecting Sea Trash Using Drones and Small Boats.” A special prize was also awarded to Nago Senior High School for the project “Research about the Metal Oligodynamic Action of Copper and its Application!”

Nago High School team awarded a special prize for the 6th SCORE!

Teppei Nakamura and Kohei Fujita, from the winning team, said, "We are speechless with surprise. Many thanks to our science teacher who supported this project.” It was indeed an unforgettable day for the young scientists and entrepreneurs of Okinawa.

Misato High School team awarded 1st prize for the 6th SCORE!

SCORE! was jointly organized by OIST, the American Consulate General, Naha, and the Okinawa Prefectural Government. 

For press enquiries, please contact media@oist.jp

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