"Wonders-in-Chemistry Class"
Bringing the Wonder and Fun of Science to Children who will be Our Future
As a member of the community, Mitsui Chemicals Group takes great pleasure and pride in providing children who will be our future with opportunities to experience the wonders of science firsthand.
Mitsui Chemicals Group's R&D hub, the Sodegaura Center, started the "Wonders-in-Chemistry Class" in 2004 for 5th and 6th graders from local elementary schools in Sodegaura, Chiba, Japan. Mitsui Chemicals holds the "Wonders-in-Chemistry Class" at worksites around Japan as part of companywide CSR activities since 2006.
The fourth event at the Sodegaura Center was held for two days from Aug. 1 to 2, 2007, and it attracted 49 sixth graders and 47 fifth graders from local schools.
The event has been well received by the participating students and their families, and we plan to hold the fifth event during the 2008 summer break.
Overview of "Wonders-in-Chemistry Class"
1. Mitsui Chemical's Products Tour
Visitors view personal computers and other electronic equipment in which Mitsui Chemicals' products are used. They learn that chemical products are utilized in a wide range of everyday products.
Students take a look at exhibits, including disassembled personal computer parts.
"I had no idea so many chemical products are used in a computer!"
2. Research Laboratories Tour
Students take a tour of the Sodegaura Center. Amazed to see huge equipment, the students listen attentively to the explanations given by researchers. An observation of insects under a microscope is one of the most popular attractions.
Children viewing reaction equipment in the laboratory.
An ant magnified under an electron microscope.
"I never knew that an ant is covered with hair, even on its eyes!"
3. Surprise Experiments
Students take part in science experiments. They are astonished with the wonder that these experiments produce. Mitsui Chemicals' researchers teach them how to conduct each experiment step-by-step and explain the mechanism of the results.
Color changes tell whether the liquid is acid or alkaline.
"With anthocyanins, a pigment contained in purple cabbage juice, it is easy to tell whether the liquid is acid or alkaline."
Let's make a card-type microscope with glass beads.
"Let's see whether we can see the cells in a leaf."
Let's make a kaleidoscope using polarizing film.
A cheer goes up among children as they see the rainbow colors.
