This program is part of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science's "Inspiration & Excitement Science" initiative and is an experiential program for junior and senior high school students.

"Inspiration☆Excitement Science" is a program that allows elementary, middle, and high school students to directly see, hear, and touch cutting-edge research being conducted at universities and research institutions, thereby experiencing the wonders of science.

This program is planned and implemented by the Department of Marine Biology and Animal Ecology, School of Fisheries Sciences Hokkaido University.

 

This program consists of activities such as collecting marine life on the coast of Hakodate, conducting animal behavior experiments at Hokkaido University's Hakodate campus, and introducing the research being conducted in the supervising professor's laboratory.

Participants can feel free to ask questions to faculty members, as well as undergraduate and graduate students, before, during, and after the program.

Program Schedule

  • Dates: August 1, 2026 (Saturday), March 21, 2027 (Sunday)
    • Both junior high and high school students can participate on either date. However, the practical training content differs slightly, with the August session primarily geared towards high school students and the March session towards junior high school students. Also, the program content may be changed depending on weather conditions such as rain.
  • Application period (Applications will close once the maximum number of applicants is reached)
    • August course: May 1, 2026 to July 10, 2026
    • March course: From October 1, 2026 to March 1, 2027
  • Location: 3-1-1 Minatomachi, Hakodate City, Hokkaido, Japan School of Fisheries Sciences Hokkaido University
  • Contents: Animal observation and tide pooling on the coast (transportation by chartered bus, etc.), hands-on experience with animal behavior experiments in the laboratory, introduction to research facilities and research content, etc.
  • Capacity: 15 people each
    • Parents are welcome to accompany their children. However, please note that the observation space may be limited due to the relatively small size of the laboratory.
  • Participation fee: Free

 

For more details, please click here. *This link will take you to the website of the Graduate School of Fisheries Chemistry, Hokkaido University.