Every year, thousands of elementary students have visited the OIST campus to see firsthand that science is more than tests and textbooks, that it is a worldwide effort to better understand nature and solve problems with that new knowledge. The approximately 45-minute session includes an introduction to OIST, a campus tour, and a science experience program.
In addition to receiving tours and visits from schools, OIST sends researchers to elementary schools to introduce their research and provide science programs.
The Children's School of Science, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2019, is a joint effort by Onna Village and OIST to give local school-age children in Onna Village experience doing science under the guidance of professional researchers from around the world.
The five-day science program is held every year to coincide with the summer vacation of elementary and junior high school students in Onna Village. In addition to participants from among Onna Village, faculty, parents, and OIST staff, we also welcome students from within the prefecture as volunteer staff, providing them with an opportunity to interact with the Onna community.
