On Saturday July 11th, a group from Collaborative Inquiry III joined a science conference that took place at Kobe University. On our bus to Kobe University, we were only allowed to communicate in English so that we think in English. This was Nakai sensei’s idea, and I think it went pretty well!
The conference started with a special lecture by Prof. Dr. Christopher Gomez, Director of the IMARC International Research Centre, on “Sustainable Coastal Cities in the face of Earthquakes and Climate Change”. In his lecture, he talked about earthquakes, climate change, and practical ways to prevent damage to cities built along coastlines.
After that, all of the groups started presenting. There were 39 research subjects this year, and there were eight opportunities to go and listen to presentations. This meant we had to decide very carefully which eight presentations we wanted to listen to within the limited time. All the presentations looked interesting, so it was hard for us to choose.
During the Q&A sessions, students from our high school received many good questions, and they were able to answer properly. They definitely deserve a pat on the back!
Also, during the Q&A sessions, there was an ALT who kept asking the same question at every presentation he attended. He would ask, “If you could do it all over again, is there a part you would like to change?” I think that is a very meaningful question because it encourages the presenters to reflect on their research and presentation. Maybe I will start asking that question in Tankyuu classes from now on!
Presentation themes are as follows:
1 Basic Research on Nagae’s Extinction by Ono Senior High School
2 Does Infrared Emission Affect How Planarians Rest? by Ono Senior High School
3 Rokko Island High School Investigating the Antimicrobial Effect of Japanese Rice Bran
4 Research on Package Design Evaluation Based on Visual Information by Shinwa Girl’s Senior High School
5 Reduction of Potassium Content in Bamboo for Biomass Power Generation by Himeji Nishi High School
6 Do Freshwater Cyanobacteria Contribute to Iron Supply to the Sea? by Kakogawa Higashi High School
7 Conservation activities for the endangered species FUJIBAKAMA in the Kakogawa River and its current status by Kakogawa Higashi High School
8 Saccharification of Edamame Pods for Bioethanol Production by Tatsuno High School
9 Development of Repellents Using Non-preferred Plants by Tatsuno High School
10 Developing Methods for Extracting Cypress Essential Oil by Tatsuno High School
11 The relationship between air resistance and shape of objects by Toyooka High School
12 Does Pollen Type Affect the Look of the Pollen Corona? by Nagata High School
13 The Effect of Lye in Edo Period Laundry Methods by Nagata High School
14 Designing Eco-Friendly Plastics Made from Milk-the Effects of Acids on the Strength of Casein Plastics- by Nagata High School
15 Development of a Solidified Rechargeable Cell Using Natural Polysaccharides by Takarazuka Kita High School
16 An Effective Method for Flipping Menko by Takarazuka Kita High School
17 Possibility of Supply Transport by Water Rockets by Nishinomiya Senior High School
18 Considerations Regarding the Product of Consecutive Natural Numbers Skipping N and Square Numbers by Nishinomiya Senior High School
19 Evaluation of Levitation According to the Conditions of the Levitron Nishinomiya Senior High School
20 Pigment Differences in Yellow Flowers of Invasive Plants:
Toward Upcycled Crayon and Dye Products by Sanda Shounkan High School
21 The condition of the great cormorant colony by Sanda Shounkan High School
22 The Effect of Tempo of Heart Rates by Himeji Higashi High School
23 Winning at Old Maid by Himeji Higashi High School
24 A Preliminary Study on the Tenderness of Boiled Chicken Tenderloin by Mukogawa Women’s University Senior High School
25 A Fundamental Study on Lipase-Mediated Hydrolysis of Fat in Cow’s Milk by Mukogawa Women’s University Senior High School
26 Decreasing of Benzene by Using Photocatalysts by Akashikita High School
27 Antimicrobial Activity of Onion Extracts by Akashikita High School
28 Extracting Ethanol from Nostoc commune by Akashikita High School
29 Establishment of Grafting Between Different Legume Species ~ Translocation of Chemical Components through Grafting between Kudzu and Black Beans ~ by Amagasakioda High School
30 Beyond Euler’s Prime Generating Polynomial by Amagasakioda High School
31 Recycled Fibers Made from Leather by Amagasakioda High School
32 Model-Based Estimation of Starspot Information from Stellar
Light Curves
33 Effect of Tree Topping on Slope Stabilization: Quantitative
Evaluation of Soil Erosion and Shallow Landslides by ROOT Program
34 Potential of Rock Pavements to Mitigate Urban Heat Islands Effect Analysis of the Physical Properties of Rocks by ROOT Program
35 Effects of Urban Green Space Quality on Physiological, Psychological, and Cognitive Recovery in Japanese High School Students by ROOT Program
36 Impacts of Solar Panels on Aquatic Ecosystems – Toward Proposals for the Utilization of Reservoirs in Hyogo Prefecture- by Kobe Future Doctors Dojo (Kobe University)
37 Regarding the effective use of camphor trees Kobe High School
38 Elucidation of the chemotaxis of Anisakis by Kobe High School
39 Inhibition of Methyl Mercaptan Production in the Oral Cavity by Kobe High School
From our high school, we presented on the topic “The relationship between air resistance and shape of objects”. We had many audiences and they gave us a lot of valuable feedback. I hope this was a great experience for our students. After returning to school, they said they were inspired by a lot of excellent English speakers. I am sure this will influence them to become great researchers in the future who are also fluent in English.
