Shawnigan at the Japan Super Science Fair

When you opt to give up a half-term holiday and go on a tour, you hope to get the most out of your time – we did! While we were all experiencing excitement and nerves about the unknown of this adventure, as we walked to school on the final day of the fair the common theme was "I can't believe this is almost over / It has been so much fun / I have made so many friends / It has gone by so fast!" 

 

Long flights, running through customs to make connections, downloading new games to pass the time, practicing presentations, and writing missed quizzes on planes was a new experience for us all. When we shifted from English signs to Japanese, Google Translate came out, along with hand gestures. New money to manage and vending machines that were around every corner producing hot lattes in a can were fun to try out. Moving into dorm living with five other roommates was one experience that our boarding students quickly embraced, while the first breakfast of fish, egg, noodles, and a few unidentified Japanese specialties was our first real culinary adventure! 

 

Arriving at the school to the warm welcome of the Ritsumeikan community helped to shake off some of our nerves, especially as we saw familiar faces from the Rits visit to Shawnigan last spring, and our buddies Maho, Suzie and Koki, who we had met on Zoom. Jumping right into welcomes and learning about AI in medical imaging was followed by icebreakers and science presentations. The mixed small groups the students were placed into fostered the meeting of new people and sharing of ideas, smiles, and laughter.

 

Since science is at the core of why we travelled to Japan, the presentations that the students, teachers, university professors and industry leaders have shared show promise for solving some of the world's big problems. I am so proud of how well the Shawnigan students spoke to their research and handled the tough and inquisitive questions they were asked. From biology to physics, chemistry to mathematics, computer science to the environment and astronomy, the ideas and level of interest and inquiry of the teenagers has been remarkable. Even when taken outside of the comfort of their own areas of research, they have been innovative in tackling the impact of AI in schools, creative in the aerodynamics of designing foam airplanes, and willing to take risks when put on the spot to solve new unique problems in engineering, chemistry, extra-terrestrial habitat and robot learning.

 

Talking proudly about what makes Canada special and then touring booths to learn about the food, music, dress, religion, games and customs of other participating countries led to engaging questions and lots of laughter. No trip to a foreign country would be complete without visiting local historical sites, souvenir shopping, and eating in local restaurants. We are headed home with full suitcases, unforgettable memories and unique new global connections and understandings. 

 

I've been amazed at how the students, who were all nervous and excited about this experience, have made bonds so quickly. In this age of social media such as Instagram, WhatsApp and Snapchat, they are instantly connected, and I believe some of these connections will last for life.

 

While we came for the science, we are leaving with so much, more having made new friends from Japan, India, Australia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, South Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the UK, the US, and Vietnam!

 

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