Case Studies

Osaka Institute of Technology × Osaka Prefectural Tondabayashi High School Science Club

(Winner of the Science Castle 2014 Osaka Institute of Technology Award)

I met a researcher who turned my interest into research."

I want to build a hovercraft that people can ride!" (The three members of the science club started talking about it before the freshman festival. The three members of the science club began talking about this project before their freshman year's cultural festival. In December, they presented their hypothesis on levitation at the Science Castle, and the following March, they had the opportunity to present it in front of hovercraft researchers at Osaka Institute of Technology. The result was surprising: he found that his hypothesis focused on a point that is not often discussed in the known principles of levitation. He pointed out that they should measure a variety of data that they had never considered before, with the comment, "We should investigate thoroughly to see if our hypothesis is really correct. Are their hypotheses really correct?" Their inquisitive minds were ignited.

In order to measure the items pointed out, they created measuring instruments and repeated experiments. What started as a "let's try it out" project soon evolved into a serious research project. Six months later, their research, which had gained a scientific basis, won the "Osaka Science and Technology Center Prize" at the Osaka Prefecture Student Science Awards. Ishikawa, the leader of the group, said, "I was able to get an idea of how to proceed with my research, and my desire to go on to university became stronger. I also became interested in a career as a researcher," he says. The serious discussion, which is possible only for researchers, was a major turning point for both his research activities and his personal career.

Presentation at Science Castle

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Introduction to the University

Since its foundation, Osaka Institute of Technology has been committed to advanced practical education that enables students to realize the necessity, depth, breadth, and interest of engineering. In recent years, Osaka Institute of Technology has established the "Monolabo," a factory space for students to experience manufacturing and gain a real sense of engineering from the time they enter the school, and has created an environment where students can take on various PBL (Project Based Learning) challenges, such as building a human-powered airplane and a solar-powered car. This educational spirit is also directed toward the next generation, and we have actively engaged in a variety of activities, including mock classes and field information sessions with dispatched researchers, individual support for research projects, cooperation in the "Koshien of Science" and participation in the "Science Castle.

Engineering research projects are also being actively conducted at junior high and high schools. In the hope that this encounter between the university's researchers and students and junior and senior high school students will encourage the further evolution of research projects, a new high school-university collaboration will be implemented as a supporter of the "Monozukuri Section," a consultation service for research projects, starting in FY2016.

Osaka Institute of Technology HP: https://www.oit.ac.jp/

Address: 5-16-1 Omiya, Asahi-ku, Osaka 535-8585 (Omiya Campus)

Faculty of Engineering (Urban Design Engineering, Space Design, Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Electrical and Electronic Systems Engineering, Applied Chemistry, Electronics, Information and Communication Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Biotechnology), Faculty of Information Science (Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Media, Information Network), Faculty of Intellectual Property (Intellectual Property) Network), Intellectual Property Department (Department of Intellectual Property)