Kyoto University Weeks 2017: Public events at 23 facilities across Japan (7 October – 11 November 2017)

Kyoto University maintains numerous facilities across Japan to support its diverse and distinctive research activities. To serve as the University's "window" for local communities, these facilities also hold public events, such as the ones during the annual Kyoto University Weeks.

The 2017 Kyoto University Weeks were affected by typhoon No 22, with three facilities cancelling events and several others changing their plans. Still, 23 facilities held events from 7 October through 11 November, attracting a total of 4,636 attendees and participants.

• Official website (in Japanese)
  http://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/ja/social/weeks/2017.html

Kyoto University Weeks 2017 public events

1. Hokkaido Forest Research Station: Mini public seminar "Nature Observation" (Saturday 21 October)

On 21 October, the Hokkaido Forest Research Station Shirakaba Branch of the Field Science Education and Research Center (FSERC) hosted a mini public seminar, "Nature Observation".

The program attracted 11 applicants, of whom 10 attended. Following an opening ceremony and introduction in the Branch's administrative office, participants traveled by rental car to a forest trail. They then walked along the trail in two groups, listening to explanations from teaching staff and technical personnel.

The event received favorable feedback, such as "As a first - time participant, I found the explanations very accessible and easy to understand; it's been an extremely rich learning experience."

2. Hida Observatory: "Rediscovering Nature Tour for Adults" (Saturday 7 – Monday 9 October)

The Graduate School of Science's Hida Observatory hosted a public event from 7 through 9 October entitled "Rediscovering Nature Tour for Adults".

The first two days took place mainly inside the observatory. Day one began with a briefing on the research activities taking place at the facility, followed by lectures on the sun and other astronomical bodies. This was concluded with a tour of the telescope. Unfortunately, the night weather was not good enough for astronomical observation.

On the second day, participants examined a solar telescope and viewed the latest images of the sun obtained. This was followed by a lecture on sunspots, prominences, flares, auroras, and solar spectra, ending in a lively Q and A.

In the evening, while the sky was clear, participants observed the sky with their naked eye as well as through a 65-cm refractor telescope, the largest in Asia.

Throughout the event, participants enjoyed the unique opportunity to observe nature.

3. Kamitakara Earthquake Observatory and Hodaka Sedimentation Observatory: Joint public event for Kyoto University Weeks (Saturday 11 November)

For KU Weeks 2017, two observatories from the Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI) — the Kamitakara Earthquake Observatory and the Hodaka Sedimentation Observatory — hosted a joint public event on 11 November to raise awareness of natural disaster risks and introduce their research activities. Both observatories are conducting research on Mt Yake, an active volcano in the Hida Mountains.

As part of this event, the Observatories' faculty and staff participated in an evacuation drill for a volcanic eruption of Mt Yake, organized by the city of Takayama, Gifu Prefecture. They were joined by 546 participants from the local community, including elementary school students, senior citizens, and disaster-response personnel. The researchers from the Observatories used this opportunity to share their activities with Takayama residents, performing demonstrations and showing their tools.

Afterwards, the researchers delivered public lectures at a local community center with around 20 attending.

4. Primate Research Institute: 27th Public Program Day (Sunday 29 October)

On 29 October, the Primate Research Institute (PRI) hosted its 27th Public Program Day. Eighty-four people of all ages participated, from not only neighboring areas but also other parts of Aichi Prefecture, and even from the Kanto and Kansai regions.

After attending a lecture on the institute's latest findings, entitled "What Is the Human Instinct?", participants visited several facilities, including the chimpanzees' rooms, a free-range farm for Japanese monkeys, and several exhibition rooms. Participants asked numerous questions, and left comments such as "It was amazing to see chimpanzees actually learning", and "The event gave me a great opportunity to visit many parts of the institute and to learn so many new things".

5. Shigaraki MU Observatory: Tour to study the Shigaraki MU radar 2017 (Saturday 7 October)

On 7 October, the Shigaraki MU Observatory of the Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere (RISH) hosted a tour of its middle- and upper-atmosphere (MU) radar.

There were two sessions, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon, attracting 136 participants in total. Each included a lecture on atmospheric studies using radars in Japan and Indonesia, a facility tour to see the MU radar and other atmospheric observation devices, and a live demonstration of radiosonde observation.

In the live demonstration, participants, including children, released a research balloon into the air and observed it until it disappeared into the sky.

Participants left many favorable comments, such as "It was wonderful to look inside the MU radar and see how it works," and "listening to explanations on the radiosonde, my heart was filled with anticipation for what it may help discover."

6. Research Center for Environmental Quality Management: Public program "Half-Day Research Experience at Lake Biwa" (Saturday 14 October)

On 14 October, the Graduate School of Engineering's Research Center for Environmental Quality Management (RCEQM) hosted a public program entitled "Half-Day Research Experience at Lake Biwa". This event is held annually to introduce the general public to RCEQM's research activities and findings on environmental issues.

The 2017 program was attended by 15 participants from a wide range of generations, including students and working professionals. After listening to the director's opening address and a briefing on RCEQM's activities, participants visited an experimental water-treatment facility installed in Otsu City's sewage plant, which is located next to the Center. They then split into two groups to tour the facility, and took part in experiments involving water-quality analysis and observation of algae from Lake Biwa. The event concluded with a mini lecture and a Q and A session.

Participants left various positive comments, such as: "I found explanations very detailed and easy to understand," "I didn't know Kyoto University had such a wide variety of research laboratories," "I really enjoyed the experiments," and "Thank you for the very interesting lecture."

7. Center for Ecological Research: Public program "Wonders of Life Forms You Would Never Learn About in School" (Saturday 14 October)

On 14 October, the Center for Ecological Research (CER) hosted a public program entitled "Wonders of Life Forms You Would Never Learn About in School".

This annual event is aimed at introducing topics not included in school textbooks to people interested in ecosystems, environmental problems, and various forms of life. Sixty-four applied for the program, outnumbering the available places, with 47 actually taking part.

Following a lecture on the ecology and behavior of parasitic wasps, participants observed nature in CER's Forest. They collected various kinds of plants and mushrooms while listening to explanations about the ecosystem.

The program was well received by participants, who left comments such as "I was surprised at how quick the bees' infestation happens," and "I enjoyed the nature observation so much, I wished it would last longer."

8. Kwasan Observatory: Outdoor concert, "Gallery Week", and open house (Saturday 7 and 28 October)

The Graduate School of Science's Kwasan Observatory hosted an outdoor concert on 7 October, and an open house and the "Gallery Week" exhibition on the 28th.

The concert has been held annually for the past five years to raise funds for the observatory. The world-renowned musician Kitaro delivered a live performance on stage. He was joined by ambient-music composer and performer Hiroki Okano, as the DVD "Kojiki and the Universe" -- consisting of a variety of images of the universe along with pieces from the album Kojiki -- was projected on the observatory building.

The open house on the 28 ^th attracted around 150 visitors despite the rainy weather. The program was comprised of: exhibitions with briefings on telescopes and observation equipment, a screening of the "Four-Dimensional Digital Universe", and hands-on activities such as a handicraft workshop.

The "Gallery Week" event featured an exhibition of the research desk, documents, and other items that belonged to Dr Issei Yamamoto, the observatory's first director.

The event ended successfully with positive feedback from many visitors, such as "The concert reminded me of the fact that I am not just a human living on the earth, but also a part of the universe," and "Thank you for explaining various things about the universe in an accessible way. I have become interested in astronomy, and want to study it further".

9. Ashu Forest Research Station: Public program (Saturday 21 October)

On 21 October, FSERC's Ashu Forest Research Station (AFRS) hosted a public program, showcasing its research and education activities and offering opportunities to commune with its rich natural environment.

Despite the heavy rain, 60 participants enjoyed a wide variety of activities, such as a guided forest tour, a hands-on experience with freshwater fish, a mini lecture, and a visit to the resource center. Participants were able to experience the wonders of nature and talk with the researchers who are studying them. They left comments such as "The event was great. I learned so much."

10. Kamigamo Experimental Station: Autumn Nature Observation (Saturday 3 November)

On 3 November, FSERC's Kamigamo Experimental Station hosted an autumn nature-observation session.

This year, 139 individuals (77 groups) had applied for 30 places, with a final count of 33 participating. After a briefing, participants in two groups walked along a 2-km observation trail for two and a half hours with the faculty and staff. Some participants said, "Explanations given by the faculty and staff were so interesting that the time passed very fast," and "I learned a lot about how leaves grow."

11. Uji Open Campus 2017: "We Love Science! Let's Explore this Wonderful World!" (Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October)

For the 2017 KU Weeks, the Uji Campus hosted an open-campus event on 28 and 29 October, entitled "We Love Science! Let's Explore this Wonderful World!" This is an annual event aimed at introducing the general public to the research activities taking place on Campus.

Despite the bad weather on both days, the 2017 event attracted more than 2,000 people in total, including regular participants and first-time visitors.

The program offered activities for people of all ages, such as lectures by faculty, exhibitions on Uji's research institutes, and tours of the laboratories, usually closed to the public. There were also hands-on activities, where participants worked on experiments and experienced the breadth and depth of the world of science, ranging from grand topics to familiar phenomena. A stamp rally was also held, in which many participants, especially children, enjoyed roaming the campus despite the strong wind and heavy rain from the approaching typhoon.

Participants left comments such as "I will definitely come back next year," and "Please continue this annual event." The Uji Campus plans to hold this community-oriented event for years to come.

12. Ujigawa Open Laboratory: Open laboratory "Experiencing Disaster-Causing Natural Phenomena" (Sunday 29 October)

On 29 October, DPRI's Ujigawa Open Laboratory hosted a public event entitled "Experiencing Disaster-Causing Natural Phenomena".

To avoid overcrowding, this year's event required prior registration, while providing a more frequent shuttle-bus service than in previous years. A total of 246 participated despite the bad weather due to an approaching typhoon, which at one time caused the organizers to seriously reconsider the event.

Through hands-on experiments, the participants visually and sensorially experienced the power of flowing water and the danger of floods. Many provided favorable feedback, including: "Fantastic equipment enabled us, including children, to easily understand natural phenomena," "I was really able to feel how frightening disasters can be," and "The event gave us a valuable opportunity to experience things we normally wouldn't be able to."

13. Experimental Farm: Open Farm 2017 (Friday 3 November)

On 3 November, the Graduate School of Agriculture's Experimental Farm hosted an "Open Farm 2017" event with 776 attending.

The Farm's breadth of activities, from cutting-edge research and education to agricultural production, were showcased through a wide range of activities. There were three lectures on the theme of "Green Energy Farming at the Kyoto University Experimental Farm", along with two farm tours, one focused on rice and fruit, and the other on vegetables and flowers. Other activities included a rice-harvesting experience; open laboratories on "Removing Astringency from Sour Persimmons" and "DNA Extraction Using Kitchen Goods"; a sale of fresh farm products; and additional exhibitions.

The spot sale and farm tours attracted the largest crowds, while the open laboratories and agricultural experience also proved so popular that each session was filled to capacity as soon as registration opened. At the experimental-equipment and poster exhibitions, many visitors were seen intently following the staff's commentary. The lectures drew a large audience, who contributed to a lively Q and A.

14. Research Reactor Institute: "Atom Science Fair" lectures (Saturday 21 October)

The Research Reactor Institute's public event, the "Atom Science Fair 2017", took place on 21 October. The annual Fair is aimed at encouraging people of all ages to develop an interest in science.

The lecture event took place at Kumatori Town Exchange Center "Renga-kan", attended by 61 people despite the rainy weather. Three lectures were delivered under the theme of "Forefront of Medical Physics Assisting Radiation and Particle Beam Therapy", followed by a lively Q and A session.

The event concluded successfully, attracting positive feedback, such as "The program introduced me to the field of medical physics, and made me want to study it in the future," and "The lectures covered the basics, so they were easy to understand."

The Fair originally included an experimental session, scheduled for 29 October, but it was cancelled due to typhoon No 22.

15. Abuyama Observatory: Public program "Earthquake Science Museum Day 2017" (Thursday 2 and Friday 3 November)

DPRI's Abuyama Observatory hosted a public event on 2–3 November, entitled "Earthquake Science Museum Day 2017", with 118 attending.

Each day, the Observatory's staff and volunteers, called Abuyama Supporters, delivered four lectures to pre-registered attendees. For the first time, the event included an exhibition, open to all visitors, including those without prier registration. There were also four optional mini lectures focused on the Observatory's attractions.

Participants left comments such as "I enjoyed learning about the history of seismographs, and surveying the Osaka Plain from atop the observatory", and "I appreciated the one-on-one explanations, and really enjoyed freely looking around the facility."

16. Wakayama Fo