The "Science Project for Ryukyu Girls Science Camp" began in 2014 as a program to help inspire high school girls in Okinawa Prefecture to choose a career in science.
This program was renamed as "HiSci Lab" in March 2021. HiSci is an acronym for "High School" and "Science". The pronunciation is the same as Okinawan greeting, "Haisai!”
HiSci Lab does not only convey the joy of science but it also features testimonials from female scientists (role models) on what inspires them to pursue a career in science, what they have experienced in their university lives, and their current lives as researchers. The program also allows the participants to interact with female scientists. The advice from female scientists who are conducting cutting-edge scientific research will definitely be useful for your future!
HiSci Lab also serves as an opportunity for high school students who are interested in the same field to meet and interact with each other.
The theme of HiSci Lab program changes every year, and even if you participate every year, we are sure that you will learn something new!
Past HiSci Lab Theme
HiSci Lab 2021 - Theme: Marine Science HiSci Lab 2022 - Theme: Okinawa = Longevity? Uncover the secret of healthy longevity! HiSci Lab 2025 - Theme: “Exploring the Science of Clothing, Food, and Living on Our Okinawa Island”
HiSci Lab 2026
Workshop Overview
The theme for this year is “Immersed in Sound♪ When Science Connects with Me”
The workshop is scheduled for 2 days and 1 night.
What kind of sounds do you like?
Let’s share your personal soundscapes and take a moment to truly listen to the sounds around us.
Based on a fundamental understanding of how sounds are perceived, we will explore our connection with sound together with scientists, researchers, acousticians, and musicians who pursue “sound” as their research theme.
Female high school students living in Okinawa (18 people)
Registration fee
Free registration (accommodation included)
※For remote island participants, travel expenses are provided.
Application deadline
January 12th, 2026 (Mon)
※ The selection result will be announced via email by the middle of January 2026. Please check your settings to ensure that you can receive emails from @oist.jp domain.
Application method
Please submit personal statement (within 200 characters in Japanese) on why you wish to participate in this workshop.
Meet at OIST
・Participants who live on remote islands: We will contact you individually.
・Participants who live on the main island: Transportation from home to OIST is required.
Saturday, February 21st, 2026
12:00-18:00
・Lunch networking session
・Ice breaking Session
・Career talks by OIST faculty members and PhD students
・Campus and Lab tour Check-in at the accommodation hotel(18:00~)
Sunday, February 22nd, 2026
9:00-15:00
Breakfast at the accommodation hotel, followed by check-out
・“Sound” workshop led by OIST PhD students
・Program wrap-up and reflection session
・Science for Building a Sustainable Society (Part 1)
Sunday, February 22nd, 2026
9:00-15:00
・Science for Building a Sustainable Society (Part 2)
・SDG Activities in Onna Village: “Honey and Coral Project”
・Closing ceremony
Sunday, February 22nd, 2026
15:30
Dismissal of participants around 3:30 PM
・Parents/guardians are requested to pick up participants at OIST
・Participants traveling from remote islands will be transported to Naha Airport by TAXI
Additional Information
【 Meeting point 】
The meeting point for the workshop will be at OIST.
【 Transportation 】
Transportation from the workshop venue to and from the accommodations will be provided by OIST.
For participants living on remote islands, OIST will provide the following in addition to the above.
・Round-trip airfare from the nearest airport to Naha Airport
・Round-trip transportation from Naha Airport to the workshop venue
Workshop Venue
OIST (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology )
Organizer: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University
Co-sponsored: Okinawa Prefecture / Council for Promotion of OIST
HiSci Lab 2026 is made possible through the generous support of the Matsuro and Tsuruko Nakasone Fund at the OIST Foundation. Their gift supports OIST’sGirls Be Ambitious initiative, which empowers the next generation of girls in Okinawa to pursue science and education, honoring the Nakasone family’s enduring commitment to opportunity and learning.
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