Leave a Nest Conducts Water Quality Research Program at Tay Son Junior High School in Da Nang, Vietnam — Featured on TV Tokyo’s WBS on August 15
Since 2016, the Leave a Nest Center for Educational Research has been exploring the potential for expanding science education programs in Vietnam through pilot initiatives.
Related article: Selected for METI’s “Tobidase Japan!” Program — Piloting an Educational Program to Contribute to the Development of Vietnam’s Next Generation and the Advancement of Science and Technologyhttps://global.lne.st/news/vn/science_workshop_1/
On July 28, 2017, Daigo Fujita, Director of the Center for Educational Research, visited Da Nang, Vietnam, and conducted an original research-based educational program at Tay Son Junior High School.
The theme of the program was “Water Quality Research.”
At the time, Vietnam’s sewerage infrastructure remained underdeveloped, with coverage even in urban areas estimated at only 20–30%. As a result, water pollution represented a significant challenge, highlighting the need for both education and technological development that could contribute to solving such local issues.
Tay Son Junior High School, a public school working to strengthen its science education, was also eager to provide students with more opportunities for hands-on learning. In response, Leave a Nest developed a program through which students could learn the fundamentals of water quality assessment and research methodologies while investigating water conditions in Da Nang.
Learning to Investigate Local Water Quality
On the day of the program, 20 students participated, while many teachers also came to observe the activities.
Students learned how to investigate water quality using simple water-testing kits and explored methods for water purification. In particular, their investigation revealed significant pollution in nearby bodies of water, including the Han River and local ponds. This provided an opportunity for the students themselves to think about what could be done to address environmental problems in their own community.
The program also introduced advanced Japanese water purification technology, including a high-performance centrifugal solid-liquid separation system developed by Vantech Co., Ltd.
Rather than simply learning scientific knowledge in the classroom, students identified an issue in their own community, investigated it themselves, and considered potential solutions through research.
This approach created an opportunity to practice Leave a Nest’s Research Based Education, in which students learn through conducting research on real-world challenges around them.
Through the program, Leave a Nest was also able to transfer the necessary knowledge and methodologies to local teachers. The school therefore plans to continue its water quality research activities independently.
Photo: Local Vietnamese staff were trained to serve as assistants during the program.
Photo: Students received certificates of completion and were encouraged to continue their activities as young researchers.
Photo: Introduction of Vantech’s high-performance centrifugal solid-liquid separation system.
Seeking Partners to Conduct Research on Social Challenges Together with the Next Generation
Leave a Nest is seeking companies and research institutions interested in working together with children and young people to conduct research addressing social challenges in Japan and around the world.
By involving the next generation directly in identifying, investigating, and tackling the challenges facing their own communities, we aim to create opportunities for young people to grow as researchers and problem-solvers.
Organizations interested in collaborating with us on such initiatives are welcome to contact Leave a Nest.
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If you are interested in these projects and platform, feel free to contact to us!
>> Dr. Takumi Jindo, Managing Director, Leave a Nest Vietnam Co., Ltd.
[email protected] / +813-5227-4198