On Sunday, March 27, 2022, the Science and Engineering Career Path Project for Female Junior and Senior High School Students, a non-profit organization, in collaboration with the Hamamatsu Rotary Club and the Hamamatsu Science Museum, held an event at the Grand Hotel Hamamatsu where female junior and senior high school students who are considering a career in science and engineering discussed their dreams and career paths with female scientists and engineers working in various fields.
After the opening ceremony, Ms. Ayako Egashira of Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. and Ms. Nasu Suzu Murai of Suyama Corporation gave lectures on their career choices during their school days and their current jobs.
Participants were then divided into groups and engaged in an experiment to understand how thermometers work by disassembling them.
Next, senior female engineers and researchers of science and technology fields in Hamamatsu City and its suburbs talked about the reality and attractiveness of a career in science and engineering. They talked their student days, current life and work, in a round-table discussion. It promoted participants to deepen their understanding of the significance of studying and working in the future and the diversity of career paths in science and engineering.
Although it was only about half a day, participants said as follows:
– I can broaden my horizons by hearing about not only my career path but also various fields of study. I got interested in things I didn’t know about, and those various stories helped me to resolve issues I am currently struggling.
– Listening to the seniors, I could feel that I have many possibilities.
– I can imagine a little more concretely about higher education and my future, which is still somewhat vague.
It was the first time in about two and a half years for the organizers to hold an event in a face-to-face format, and it was very emotional for us.
This event reminded us of the importance of continuity in supporting female junior and senior high school students who are pursuing careers in science and engineering, even in the difficult situation of the Covid19 disaster.
The Shizuoka Shimbun and the Chunichi Shimbun reported on the workshop.
The Shizuoka Shimbun (March 28, 2022): https://www.at-s.com/news/article/shizuoka/1045379.html
The Chunichi Shimbun (article on March 28, 2022) https://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/443030
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone involved in organizing the workshop.
The Science and Engineering Career Path Project for Female Junior and Senior High School Students, a non-profit organization, will continue to develop activities to support female junior and senior high school students in selecting a career path in science and engineering in various regions in Japan. If you are interested in co-sponsoring or supporting these activities, please contact us through the inquiry form.
