From Hokkaido through Kyushu, Kyoto University maintains numerous facilities for research and education across Japan. These have played important roles as bases for the university's wide range of distinctive academic activities and as "Windows of Kyoto University" for local residents by hosting public events throughout the years.
To make the activities of KU facilities more visible to the public, 24 institutions hosted a series of events during "Kyoto University Weeks 2016", attracting 6,962 participants in total.
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Official website (in Japanese)
http://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/ja/social/weeks/2016.html
Kyoto University Weeks 2016 public events
1. Hokkaido Forest Research Station: Mini public seminar "Nature Observation" (Saturday 15 October)
The Field Science Education and Research Center's Hokkaido Forest Research Station Shirakaba Branch hosted a mini public seminar entitled "Nature Observation".
Among 25 applicants, 19 attended the event. Following the opening ceremony and introduction at the administrative office, participants were driven to a trail in the forest to observe nature. They walked in two groups listening to explanations by teaching staff and technical personnel. Participants also enjoyed making photo frames using nuts and fruits, experiencing logging, and studying soil. Many left positive comments, such as "I appreciate the valuable experience the event gave me" in feedback questionnaires.
Observing the forest
Observing soil cross-sections
2. Hida Observatory: "Rediscovering Nature Tour for Adults" (Saturday 8-Monday 10 October)
The Graduate School of Science's Hida Observatory hosted a public event over three days and two nights entitled "Rediscovering Nature Tour for Adults".
Participants spent the first two days mainly in the observatory. On the first day, they received briefings on the research activities at the observatory and lectures on the sun and other astronomical bodies. Afterwards, they toured the telescopes. Unfortunately, the weather was not good enough to conduct any astronomical observation.
On the second day, after seeing the solar telescopes, participants listened to explanations on sunspots, prominences, and optical spectra, along with images and videos recorded with the telescopes. In the evening, as the sky was clear, albeit for a short period, participants could observe the sky unaided, and without disruption from street lights. They asked numerous questions, and enjoyed the unusual opportunities for scientific observations of nature.
Lecture on the sun and other astronomical bodies by Professor Kiyoshi Ichimoto of the Graduate School of Science
Study tour of Asia's largest refracting telescope
3. Primate Research Institute: 26th Public Program Day (Sunday 30 October)
On 30 October, the Primate Research Institute held its 26th Public Program Day.
82 people of all ages, ranging from teenagers to people in their 70s, came to participate in the event, not only from neighboring areas, but from Aichi prefecture and Kansai. Following a lecture on the latest research entitled "Macaques' Revolution", participants proceeded on a study tour of the institute, visiting the chimpanzees' facilities, a free-range farm for Japanese monkeys, and the exhibition room. They asked many questions, and left comments after the event. "I was excited as I could see chimpanzees very closely," said one participant, and "It was a great opportunity for me, a resident in the neighborhood, to learn about what the institute is doing," commented another.
Lecture entitled "Macaques' Revolution" by Professor Yuzuru Hamada of the Primate Research Institute
Participants looking at skeletal specimens in the exhibition room
4. Shigaraki MU Observatory: Tour to study the Shigaraki MU Radar 2016 (Saturday 8 October)
On 8 October, the Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere's Shigaraki MU Observatory hosted a tour to study the Shigaraki MU radar.
The observatory held two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, attracting 155 participants in total. Each session included: a lecture on atmospheric study using radars in Japan and Indonesia conducted by the researchers, a tour of the MU radar and other atmospheric observation devices, and a live demonstration of radiosonde observation in which participants saw a research balloon equipped with measuring instruments released into the air until it disappeared into the sky. Participants showed their satisfaction with the event by leaving comments such as, "Thanks to the event, I now know a great facility is located in Shigaraki", and "I hope the observatory's study will contribute to the improvement of weather forecasts".
Lecture entitled "Measuring the air using radars: Introduction of studies conducted in Shigaraki and Indonesia"
Tour of the MU radar consisting of 475 antennas
5. Research Center for Environmental Quality Management: Public program "Half-Day Research Experience at Lake Biwa" (Saturday 29 October)
On 29 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".
The event is held annually to introduce the general public to RCEQM's research activities on environmental issues. This year, 15 people, including 5 students, participated. Following the Director's opening address and a briefing on RCEQM's activities, participants visited an experimental water-treatment facility installed in an adjacent sewage plant. They then split into two groups to tour the experiment building and took part in some experiments, such as water-quality analysis and plankton observation. A mini lecture and Q and A session wrapped up the event successfully. "The staff gave us very clear and detailed explanations, which helped us understand the latest science and technology", said one participant, and "The briefing and lectures were quite interesting," explained another.
At the experimental water-treatment facility
Water-quality analysis
6. Center for Ecological Research: Public program "Wonders of Life Forms You Would Never Learn About in School" (Saturday 15 October)
On 15 October, the Center for Ecological Research (CER) hosted a public program entitled "Wonders of Life Forms You Would Never Learn About in School".
This event is held annually to introduce topics not included in textbooks to people who are interested in ecological issues, including various forms of life, ecosystems, and environmental problems. 75 people applied for the event, outnumbering the available places, with 45 actually taking part. After being briefed by two faculty members, participants observed nature in CER's Forest. They collected various kinds of plants and mushrooms while listening to lectures on the ecosystem.
Lecture entitled "Network of insects and plants that produce biological diversity"
Mushrooms and leaves that participants collected
7. Maizuru Fisheries Research Station: Boarding research vessel " Ryokuyo Maru" and facility tour (Saturday 15 October)
On 15 October, the Field Science Education and Research Center's Maizuru Fisheries Research Station hosted a facility tour including boarding the research and training vessel " Ryokuyo Maru" .
"Ryokuyo Maru" was completed in December 2015, equipped with the cutting-edge navigation equipment and investigation devices. This year's event offered the opportunity for the general public to board the vessel to see how various instruments are actually used, and observe marine animals in Maizuru bay after collection by trawl net. As the capacity of the vessel is limited, only people who had applied in advance, 18 in the morning and 19 in the afternoon, participated in the event.
After listening to warnings and donning life jackets, the participants boarded the vessel and set sail. On board, they listened to explanations on the navigation apparatuses, collected water and mud samples, examined water quality, collected marine zooplankton, and saw a demonstration of collecting sea bottom creatures. After one hour at sea, participants brought their samples to an experiment room to observe and classify. They then toured the laboratory aquariums and displays, and visited storerooms for numerous fish specimens. Participants from a wide age range of backgrounds enjoyed the event.
Participants listening to precautions and guidance before boarding
Listening to explanations on the creatures participants had collected
8. Ashiu Forest Research Station: Public program (Saturday 22 October)
On 22 October, the Ashiu Forest Research Station (AFRS) opened its door to the public, showcasing its latest research, as well as education activities and offering opportunities for participants to experience the forest's rich natural environment.
Despite the cloudy weather, 61 participated. They enjoyed a tour by the faculty members, hands-on experience with freshwater fish, a science cafe, and exhibitions of tools used for research. Through a variety of activities, the participants were able to learn of the wonders of nature, and talk with the researchers who are studying them. The event ended successfully, with many positive comments, including "The event was so great that I will absolutely come back again next year."
Nature tour guided by faculty members
Participants studying freshwater fish under the supervision of faculty members
9. Kwasan Observatory: Field concert, public programs, and "Gallery Week" (Saturday 15 October and Saturday 5 November)
The Graduate School of Science's Kwasan Observatory held a field concert on 15 October, and public programs and "Gallery Week" on 5 November.
World-renowned musician Kitaro, a long-time supporter of the observatory and a regular performer there, took the stage under a full moon in the clear autumn sky, joined by dance master Kayo Mikami. Kitaro and Ms Mikami delivered their live performance as DVD of "Kojiki and the Universe", consisting of a variety of images of the universe along with the Kitaro piece "Kojiki", was projected on the observatory building.
Public programs included: lectures on the universe, exhibitions with briefings of the telescopes and observation equipment, a screening of the "Four-Dimensional Digital Universe", hands-on programs such as a handicraft workshop, and a session to observe the moon and Mars. Along with these programs, a joint exhibition "Observation Records" of Ms Kana Ago and Mr Shuhei Takahara, both young and spirited artists, was held as a "Gallery Week" event.
All the events received positive feedback from participants, such as "I felt like I was sitting in the vast universe thanks to the effects and combination of images, music, and the sky full of stars" (a comment on the field concert), and "I was impressed by the fact that the old buildings and facilities are still at work as they have been cherished and looked after very carefully" (a comment on the public program).
From left: Kitaro, Observatory Director and Professor Kazunari Shibata, the Mayor of Kyoto City Daisaku Kadokawa, Ms Mikami, and Program-Specific Professor Takao Doi at the Unit of Synergetic Studies for Space
Observing the sky with the Sartorius 18-cm reflector telescope
Handiwork class of mirror plating
10. Kamigamo Experimental Station: Autumn nature observation (Saturday 5 November)
On 5 November, the Field Science Education and Research Center's Kamigamo Experimental Station held an autumn nature-observation session.
This year, 104 individuals (66 groups) had applied for 30 positions, with 23 actually taking part. After a briefing, participants in three groups walked along a 2 km observation trail for two and a half hours with the faculty and staff, who gave them explanations and answered questions to help deepen their understanding of nature. Feedback included "I enjoyed the event so much that the time flew very fast", and "I vividly felt that the trees are living".
Lecture on yellow-tinged and fallen leaves of Uwazumizakura
Lecture on the composition of soils in KES
11. Experimental Farm: Open farm 2016 (Thursday 3 November)
On 3 November, the Graduate School of Agriculture's Experimental Farm hosted a public "Open Farm 2016" event.
Under the theme "Let's think the future of human beings side by side with plants", a wide variety of activities took place on the site, including: public lectures, tours of the farm (a rice and fruit course, and a vegetable and flower course), rice-harvesting and other agricultural work, experiments such as removing astringency from sour persimmons, and a spot sale of fresh farm produce. Through these activities, participants learned of the farm's activities, from cutting-edge research and education to actual agricultural production. Far outnumbering expectations, the number of visitors totaled 1,381. The spot sale and farm tours were especially popular. Experiments at the open laboratory and agriculture demonstration were also so popular that each session was filled to the capacity as soon as it started. At the exhibition of experimental devices and the poster presentation, many visitors were listening attentively to the staff's explanation. The public lecture was also filled to capacity with enthusiastic attendees.
Participants harvesting rice
Participants listening to explanations on the vegetation facility
12. Uji Open Campus 2016: "Uji Campus Thrills You with Science" (Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 October)
This year's Uji Open Campus took place on 22 and 23 October under the theme of "Uji Campus Thrills You with Science".
The Uji Campus holds a public event annually to introduce the general public to research activities taking place there. More than 3,200 people came to the 2016 event, including regular participants and first-time visitors.
On both dates, the program offered a wide range of activities that the faculty and staff had prepared for visitors of all ages. The event included lectures by faculty members, exhibitions introducing the research institutes on the Uji Campus, and tours of the research laboratories, which are usually closed to the public. In some hands-on programs, participants worked on experiments and learned of the breadth and depth of the world of science, from grand topics to familiar phenomena. A stamp rally was also held, in which many participants enjoyed strolling the campus in the pleasant autumn weather.
The event was so well received that participants left may positive comments, such as: "My elementary school kids are always looking forward to this event. We will definitely come back again next year"; and "This is a very valuable opportunity of encouraging local kids to get interested in science, so I hope this event will continue to take place". The Uji Campus plans to hold this public event for years to come.
Open laboratory: "A rainbow-colored world created by high-power lasers"
Open laboratory: "Fly the Balloon! Watch the Earth!"
13. Ujigawa Open Laboratory: Open laboratory "Let's Experience Disaster-Causing Natural Phenomena" (Sunday 23 October)
On 23 October, the Disaster Prevention Research Institute's Ujigawa Open Laboratory held an event entitled "Let's Experience Disaster-Causing Natural Phenomena".
To reduce overcrowding, this year's event accepted only those with prior reservation. In fine weather, 267 observed and experienced the power of flowing water and the dangers of floods. Comments after the event included: "It was great to be able to listen to the experts so closely in a small-group setting," "I learned a lot about disasters that may happen immediately," and "The valuable knowledge I earned today by seeing and experiencing the power of disasters was quite different from the one I had got by just watching TV."
Participant trying to open and close a partly submerged door
Participants queuing to experience climbing a flooded stairway
14. Research Reactor Institute: "Atom Science Fair" lectures and experiments (Saturday 22 and Sunday 30 October)
For its "Atom Science Fair 2016", the Research Reactor Institute held a lecture and experiment event at Kumatori Town Exchange Center "Renga-kan".
The fair is held annually to encourage people of all ages to develop an interest in science. Dr Kouji Morimoto, Leader of the Superheavy Element Devise Development Team of RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science, delivered a lecture entitled "Discovery of New Element 113". Dr Morimoto and the 70 participants, including high school and junior high school students, engaged in a Q and A session so active that the event continued longer than scheduled.
Experimental sessions attracted 55 elementary and junior high school students, who participated in two experiments and five hands-on demonstrations.
Comments included, "I have become more interested in science than before," and "I will try to replicate some experiments again at home."
Lecture
Experiment "Various changes of violet cabbage, and electric pens"
15. Abuyama Observatory: KU Weeks 2016 Special Program "History, Culture, and Cutting-edge Science: Let's Study Seismic Observation and Disaster Reduction" (Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 November)
The Disaster Prevention Research Institute's Abuyama Observatory held a public program entitled "History, Culture, and Cutting-edge Science: Let's Study Seismic Observation and Disaster Reduction".
There were 95 participants in total. These attended not only from Kansai, but from more distant places such as Shizuoka and Chiba prefectures. The event introduced the depth and long history of seismology, from its beginnings to the latest studies, offering a variety of programs including: six special lectures on seismic observation and seismology, a special exhibition to introduce the achievements of Dr Toshi Shida (the first director of the observatory), and demonstrations of the "Jishin Zabuton" (portable earthquake simulator), which reproduces previously observed seismic waves. The event proved highly successful, with participants leaving comments such as, "After actually experiencing the quake with the simulator, I learned that I can do nothing when an earthquake with an intensity of 7 hits us," and "I got interested in how to evacuate from very crowded places."
Explanation of the Galitzin seismograph
Demonstration of "Jishin Zabuton"
16. Wakayama Forest Research Station: Public mini lecture (Sunday 30 October)
On 30 October, the Field Science Education and Research Center's Wakayama Forest Research Station (WFRS) held a mini-lecture event for the general public.
The event got started in 2015, aiming at introducing the facility, its research, education activities, and mission to the general public, especially to local residents. This year, 46 applied to participate, exceeding available places, with 21 showing up on the day of the event.
After meeting near the Aridagawa Town Office, participants traveled by minibus to the forest. They split into two groups and observed nature mainly around a high-altitude ridge, with explanations from WFRS's faculty and technical staff. They learned about not just the scientific names of trees, but also their habitats, a variety of survival strategies, their value as natural resources, and issues associated with their use.
Feedback included, "I learned a lot of names of plants," and "I was impressed by the depth and breadth of knowledge of the staff."
Nature observation: "Smelling the fragrance of Mizume (Japanese cherry birch)"
Nature observation: " T suga leaves (Southern Japanese hemlock)"
