J A X A S pa c e E d u c at i o n C e n t e r
Re p o rt o n It s Ac t ivit ies i n 2 016 — 2 017

(Information as of March 2017)

FROM THE DIRECTOR................................................................................................................... 3
THE YEAR IN REVIEW................................................................................................................... 4

TABLE OF CONTENTSREPORT OF JAXA SPACE EDUCATION CENTERON ITS ACTIVITIES IN 2016 AND 2017

WHO WE ARE
The History of the Space Education Center.............................................................................. 14
Our Goals & Principles................................................................................................................ 14

WHAT WE DO
Formal Education: Professional Development & Classroom Partnership ............................ 15
Informal Education: Extracurricular and Home Activities....................................................... 16
International Engagement: Investment in a Shared Future..................................................... 17
Content Publishing: Information in Print and Online................................................................ 18
Establishing Strategic Footholds .............................................................................................. 191

FROM THE DIRECTOR“Ten” is a milestone. The Space Education Center marked a decade ofexistence in 2014, and the following year, Kimiya Yui became the 10th
Japanese astronaut in space. But most achievements in life do not fallon milestones. Achievement is a process of learning, and learning is acontinuous multifaceted process. Learning is what happens between
milestones. Learning to know. Learning to do. And eventually, learning tosimply be, and to live together as neighbors, as a species.1
For JAXA, 2016 was less about celebrating milestones and more about
learning. We continued building on what came before, sometimes withencouraging results, other times less so. The ISS Expedition 48–49 wascertainly one of the former. As one of two flight engineers on the 4-month
mission, astronaut Takuya Onishi worked with a colleague from NASA to
capture the Cygnus cargo vessel. He also conducted experiments inside the“Kibo” module, among them experiments submitted from Indonesia, Japan,
Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and more.
We also built towards what is to come. JAXA’s second Epsilon rocket was launched in December 2016. The payload was
the satellite “Arase,” and its mission is to study the enormous rings of energetic particles that surround our planet, known
as Van Allen belts. The level of charged particles fluctuates dramatically according to solar activity, and this “weather”
poses a challenge to space flight. By working to unlock the many mysteries of the Van Allen belts, “Arase” is helping
shape the future of space travel.
The Space Education Center turned 12 in 2016. In human years, this is a milestone indeed—childhood’s end. For a dozen
years, the Center has worked in schools and homes, in community and international settings. We have learned a greatdeal, and are taking a fresh look at our activities. Like the unseen particles in the Van Allen belts, space education should
be energetic. As JAXA Space Education Center continues to form new partnerships both at home and abroad, we remindourselves anew that understanding is not a static process.

NOZOMU SAKURABA, Ph.D.
Director, Space Education Center
I refer here, of course, to the Four Pillars of Education famously laid out in the Delors Report of 1996. You can find the original
remarkable document in its entirety here: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0010/001095/109590eo.pdf

1

2

3

A public school known for its progressive approach rooted in the community,
Yashiro worked with the Space Education Center to study cutting-edge subjects
across grade levels. Through the science of energy efficiency, space elevators,
and ecologically-responsible cars, the students were challenged to think about
what it takes to have, pursue, and operationalize good ideas.

THE YEAR IN REVIEW

Staff of JAXA Space Education Center

4

JUNE-JULYAPRIL-MAY

CLASSROOM PARTNERSHIP AT SHIMOSUWAYASHIRO MIDDLE SCHOOLAPRSAF INTERNATIONAL SPACE CAMP
Fifty-five adventurous young souls from Bangladesh, Cambodia, China,
South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan descended on Daejeon, SouthVIDEO REPORT OF THE
SEC’S ACTIVITIESCan we really sum up 365 days in

Korea for 5 days. Organized by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute(KARI) and backed by both the Ministries of Education and Science,the 2016 space Camp was also a wonderful opportunity for the Space
Education Center to learn from our neighbor and colleague.

6 minutes 27 seconds?
Watch the intrepid staff of the Space(https://youtu.be/OrwHhaOPeEE)SELENE LEARNING MATERIALSRELEASED[Japanese Only]

Developed from data collected by the lunar orbiter SELENE

Education Center give it their best shot!

(Kaguya), these classroom aids such as 3D printing data,
video, and papercraft kits are freely available online.
(http://edu.jaxa.jp/kaguya/) [Japanese only]

5

AUGUST

YO U R OW N SPAC E
M IS SI O N(aka KI M IS SI O N)Your mission, should you

accept is, is…? 24 highdescended on JAXA’s

Campus for 5 days ofchoose toschool students

Sagamihara

mission planningunder the tutelage of 45
Institute ofSpace and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
graduate students.

CATI O NA PRSA F SPAC E ED U
TO RS
SE M IN A R FO R ED U CA

ASA) andl Space Agency (ANGKThe Malaysian Nationa
tionTechnology and Innova
the Ministry of Science,ation
with JAXA Space Educ
(MOSTI), in partnershipA total ofy seminar in Sarawak.
Center, held a three-dachers
dary school science tea
sixty primary and seconfrom talks
activities and learned
took part in hands-ons.
GKASA representative
given by JAXA and AN

AEROSPACE SCHOOLS
Taiki Aerospace Research Field, Kakuda Space Center,
Tsukuba Space Center, and Chofu Aerospace Center
host 78 high school students for multi-day summer
learning experience. The focus? “The Front Lines of Space
Science Mission” (Taiki), “Rocket Engine 101” (Kakuda),“Earth Observation for Social Betterment” (Tsukuba), and“Technology for Next-Gen Aircrafts” (Chofu).

6

7

OCTOBERSEPTEMBERSCIENCE EXPERIMENTS IN SPACEThe Center partnered with JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi during his stay on the International Space Station.
The video footage of Onishi’s experiments into the effects of microgravity is slated to be released as learningmaterial for high school students.

ISEB @ IAC2016
Sponsored students from 7 member agencies
gathered in Guadalajara, Mexico to present,connect, and help mentor a new generation of
space scholars. After a week full of conference
sessions, presentations, and activities, JAXA
formally took over as the Chair of ISEB 2017, tobe hosted by Adelaide, Australia.

8

PARTNERSHIPS IN KAKAMIGAHARA CITY AND KOMAKI CITY
As a major aerospace industrial hub, respectively,
people in the cities of Kakamigahara and Komaki
are both historically familiar with aviation and space.
Considering the cities' high-flying heritage and civic
spirit, both community revitalization and investmentin the next generation should be well within reach ofthese partnerships.

9Teacher Program. The teacher program

NOVEMBER

provided the opportunity to share theefforts towards space education with
Water Rocket Event. Despite worries about
the weather, it was a perfect day at the
University of the Philippines, Los Baños.

Can Satellite Competition. The
special cansat competition
turned out to be hard-fought.

the colleagues from across the Asia
Pacific Region.

Poster Contest. Ultimately, 34 interpretations

SEWG Annual Meeting. During the SEWG

of “My Dream Planet” by children from 12

annual meeting, 25 presentations were given,countries were selected for the 2017 APRSAF

including nine country updates and 10 topics

calendar. The following young artists wereregarding space education.

chosen for additional honors.

APRSAF-23

10

11

LOCALIZATION
OF LEARNING
MATERIAL

Three high school students went

Communication is critical towhere few students have gone

astronauts at work, so we

before—to Tanegashima, an island

launched a new learning material

with a storied past and home toaround this idea. Users loved

largest of JAXA’s launch facilities.

its flexibility around participant

The culmination of their 3-day trip

number and venue, and the ease of

was the blast-off of a H-IIA rocket,

incorporating instructors’ ideas into

which they covered live for their

the activity. As a result, an English

schools in Kamimizo-Minami,

prototype was created-and wowed

Unomori, and Hokuso, via video

middle schoolers, who suddenly

linkup.

saw the point in studying for theirEnglish class!

“POSTER CONTEST CALENDAR FOR 2017” ISSUE
in this calendar were selected from

24TH ANNUAL SPACEEXPLORATION EDUCATORSCONFERENCE (SEEC)

entries from children ages 8 to 11 for

The selected two Japanese teachers spend 3 days

the APRSAF-23 Poster Contest, heldat Space Center Houston, USA, learning and teachingunder the theme, “My Dream Planet”.

alongside educators from around the world.

The drawings and paintings presented

FEBURARY-MARCH 2017

DECEMBER-JANUARY 2017

“SPACE SCIENCEREPORTER FOR A DAY”
PROGRAM<URL to download>
http://www.aprsaf.org/interviews_features/features_2016/feature_127.php

SPACE EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM
What has space education given us? What is it doing for us right now? And what benefits will it bring in the future? Those“SORA NO TOBIRA,“WINTER 2016/2017
ISSUE

were the big questions addressed at a two-day seminar held by the Space Education Center over a weekend. Comprisinggroupwork, lectures, and on-the-ground reports from people active in space education, the program brought together
education professionals, stakeholders, and members of the public, turning interest into opportunity.

The 38th issue introduceschildren to two engines designed
and developed in Japan: the LE7A used in H-IIA and IIB, and theLE-9, the engine that powers the
new H-III rocket.

1213WHO WE ARE

WHAT WE DO

Space is a unique source of interest and inspiration, andrelated topics and materials into schools and homes

The Space Education Center consists of teams thatgives flight to the imagination. The Space Education

across the nation and around the Asia-Pacific region,

support educators, serve community learners, structure

Center of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

and connecting Japanese STEM students to futureinternational actions, and share information with theworks with children and young people to nurture theircollaborators and colleagues in Asia-Pacific, Europe, thepublic in a meaningful way.

inherent curiosity about the natural world, the universe,

Americas, and Africa. Our mission is to stimulate interest

and all living things. Over the last 12 years, we havein not only science and technology, but in human behavior.

Formal Education

International
Engagement

Content Publishingincreased and expanded our program, bringing space-

THE HISTORY OF THE SPACE EDUCATION CENTER
Space education has long been a part of the Japanesescience would positively influence their intellectual

space program’s mission. The early years were marked

growth. With the creation of JAXA in October 2003, it wasby the Public Affairs Department’s

increasingly recognized that education

related activities.

ree inner
ll th
s
a
t

benefit from spaceOne team involved inthis outreach specialized
in working with children and—the wonders and enigmanacious
o
f
spac
nd te
ed
ed a
r
a
kill
wo
r, s
u
ke

how society couldve—the Mcisiadeus and imaginative—the Adveefforts to increase generalis fundamentally distinctr, curio
nture
e
k
e
e
r
S
,
bol
awareness of space andfrom public relations.
he
da
—t
s
n
e
d
gain the public’s
Combined with theelv
understanding ofStrategic Footholds (partne

rship)FORMAL EDUCATION: PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT & CLASSROOM PARTNERSHIP

foundation alreadySpace is a great fit for classrooms, and not just in STEM

programs. We work with education boards and otherlaid by the student

courses. The possibilities for application are many: socialgroups to organize lectures and workshops targetingoutreach team,studies, language learning, art, ethics, even life skills. From

educators for all age levels throughout their career:

this led to thelesson plans to learning materials, the Space Educationpreschool and kindergarten, primary, middle, and highCenter is there to support teachers.

schools, education majors and seasoned teachers. We

Teaching is a demanding profession, and flexibility is thealso work with individual educators on an advisory basis.

establishment of theSpace Education Center

on May 1, 2005, by executive

young people, using compelling, space-cornerstone of our educator professional development

order of the then-President of JAXA. Since

related educational materials to connect science tothen, the Center has been a vibrant presence on JAXA’s

everyday life; the hope was that a greater interest in

Sagamihara Campus.

OUR GOALS & PRINCIPLESChildren love the natural world, and look at life withThis is where JAXA’s Space Education Center comes in.

wonder. In particular, the mysteries of space tug on their

With space as our playing field and the wonders of life

curiosity, fire the imagination. Space exploration calls

as our guide, we aim to use the wealth of knowledge andto their spirit of adventure. But alongside the spirit oftechnology gained from space development to nurturethe seeker and the adventurer is another spirit, just as

young minds.

important. Without hands-on perseverance to match the

The seeker, the adventurer, the maker. By learning “inadventurousness, there can be no reaching what you seek.

space” rather than learning “about space,” children developThis is the spirit of the builder—the maker.

the capacity to learn continuously. That, we believe, is the

If only children can encounter all three of these inner

key to raising people capable of creating knowledge andselves, they will grow their own knowledge and experience,techniques on their own, and all their lives.

<Number of teacher training sessions and participants>
FY2005FY2013

FY2014FY2015FY2016

Sessions

Students/
Teachers

Sessions

Students/
Teachers

Sessions

Students/
Teachers

Sessions

Students/
Teachers

Sessions

Students/
Teachers

For candidates
for teachers

Nil

3

3

239

1

200

4

350

2

265

For teachers

1

39

29

1,897

28

1,200

35

1,929

34

1,550

TOTAL

1

42

32

2,136

29

1,200

39

2,279

36

1,815

NOTE: Japanese Fiscal year starts from April 1 to the following March 31.

By bringing space into the classroom, we change

students in a life skills class conducted a taste test of

perspectives and encourage observation. The classroom

two instant curries, one for astronauts and one frompartnership program consists of thematic lesson activity,

the supermarket, discussing the noticed differences in

information about and rental of space-related learning

ingredients and properties to build their analytical thinking

materials, and lesson planning advice. In one example,

skills.

<Numbers of schools supported by the Center and the students who have benefited from the program >FY2005driven by the joy of learning.

14

Informal Education

FY2013

FY2014FY2015FY2016

Schools

Students

Schools

Students

Schools

Students

Schools

Students

Schools

Students

Kindergarten

0

2

3

146

5

264

3

207

4

284

Elementary Schools

1

14

95

12,947

69

7,180

74

6,669

69

5,400

Junior High Schools

5

14

36

6,287

25

4,663

24

5,714

31

6,549

High Schools

14

20

28

3,185

18

1,273

17

1,450

13

1,084

TOTAL

20

50

162

22,565

117

13,380118

14,040117

13,31715

INFORMAL EDUCATION: EXTRACURRICULAR AND HOME ACTIVITIESThe “Space Education Leaders (SEL) Seminar” is for

activities. The program aims to transfer to the participants

any individual interested in carrying out space education

basic information and the principles of Space Education.

Weekends and holidays offer a wonderful opportunity forto science but a stronger family unit and more close-knit

activities with or without experience in informal education

an informal space education. The Space Education Center

local community. Co-organized with the NPO Kodomo

has a raft of cohort-specific programs that children of all

Uchu Mirai Association (KU-MA), the program consists ofages, their parents and even grandparents can participate

hands-on group sessions with “homework” in between andin.

a final presentation by each family; to date, the Center has

For the youngest learners, “Space School for Families”

developed 104 homework texts in 12 subject areas.

represents an opportunity to not only gain early exposure<Number of Courses and Participants of Space Schools for Families>

Courses
Participants

FY2012FY2013

FY2014FY2015FY2016

42

49

51

53

54

4438

4768

4987

4799

4701

<Number of Courses and Participants of Space Schools for Families>
FY2012FY2013

FY2014FY2015FY2016

1005

972

645

583

636

“Your Own Space Mission” (aka “Kimission”) goes further

mission is presented to an audience of astronauticalwith the idea of youth autonomy. Adults take the backseat

scientists on the last day, and teams have the option ofin while high school students team up and plan a space

further developing their mission for a poster presentation

mission from the ground up under the tutelage of graduate

at the annual meeting of the Astronomical Society ofstudents from the Institute of Space and Astronautical

Japan.

Science. For 5 days, the young mission planners live in
visitors’ accommodations on JAXA’s Sagamihara campus,
exploring their own independence along with space. The

The “Cosmic College” is an experiential learning program

As children grow, they need more--more independence,for primary and middle schoolers, designed to be

more interaction, and more immersion. In JAXA’s

facilitated by leaders in the community. Lasting just half

“Aerospace School” program, high schoolers live

a day, these workshops use engaging hands-on activity

and work as a team for several days, in space center

to encourage young learners to think about familiar

facilities across Japan. The program brings students into

phenomena through the lens of science. One popular

direct contact with working members of the Japanese“Cosmic College“ course guides children through thespace program, state-of-the-art research facilities andbasics of aerodynamics, then has them construct, test,

spacecrafts, and authentic experiences that emerge fromand make adjustments to paper hovercrafts. The Space

working with other teens that share their passion.

INTERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT:INVESTMENT IN A SHARED FUTURE

Education Center also holds seminars to train community
leaders to facilitate “Cosmic College” courses.
<Number of events and participants of Cosmic Colleges and Aerospace Schools>
FY2012
EventsParticipants

Cosmic College

246

18,550260

Aerospace School

7

203

253

18,635TOTAL

16

FY2013

FY2014

Events Participants

FY2015FY2016

EventsParticipants

EventsParticipants

EventsParticipants

19,163280

18,598328

18,184405

26,948

8

144

7

104

12

222

17

103

268

19,307287

18,702340

18,406412

26,051The dream of space is a dream of the world united.

sponsored by each of the member agencies, who attend

The Space Education Center supports and creates

IAC sessions, present their research, network with space

opportunities for students and educators to expand

professionals and fellow students, and conduct outreach

their horizon through intellectual and social interaction

for local students.

that cross borders. JAXA is a founding member of the

Now the largest space conference in the Asia-Pacific, theInternational Space Education Board and co-organizer of

Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF)

the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum.

draws attendees from public, private, academic, and non-The International Space Education Board (ISEB) brings

governmental sectors from over 40 countries and regions.

together 8 space agencies (AEM, CSA, CNES, ESA, JAXA,

It has also become a magnet for aspiring space engineers

KARI, NASA and SANSA) and 1 space education entityand artists, and the educators that inspire and support(VSSEC). Every year, one of the 4 founding members ofthem. The Space Education Center assists in organizing

ISEB organizes the “International Student Zone” at thethe water rocket event and the themed poster contest.

International Astronautical Congress, the world’s largest

The annual pair of events gives primary, middle, andgathering of space professionals. The ISZ serves as ahigh schooler students a rare opportunity to shine on thevital hub for university and graduate school students

international stage.

17

CONTENT PUBLISHING:
INFORMATION AND LEARNING MATERIALS IN PRINT AND ONLINEESTABLISHING STRATEGIC FOOTHOLDS

Curating information about space, science, and our own

Developing learning materials is an essential support

As part of the executive directions set by the management

a strategic foothold should endorse the goals andactivities is also a major part of the Space Education

for space education. Utilizing images and video linked toof JAXA, the Space Education Center has been tasked

principles of the Center and should actively pursue theCenter’s mission. We use a variety of media to deliver

JAXA’s R&D achievements, we develop material and tools

since the fiscal year 2008 to establish strategic footholds

development of space education materials and teachingknowledge and learning to people of all ages.

that work with a variety of space education programs,

in all nine regional blocs of Japan, i.e. Hokkaido, Tohoku,

methods to be introduced to schools within the block

A quarterly print magazine geared to children, Sora no

in collaboration with outside experts. The results are

Kanto, Hokuriku and Shinetsu, Tokai, Kinki, Chugoku,

under its responsibility. The Center was also tasked to

Tobira (Portal to Space) is also available in PDF format.

released online for anyone engaged in space education to

Shikoku, Kyushu and Okinawa, by March 2012. This is

ensure the steady increase in the number of schools that

Young readers can find news about space development,

use in their own learning activity.

to ensure that the kind of classroom support provided

newly introduce aerospace subjects into their classroom

by the Center continues to be expanded and further

teaching by using the materials or teaching methods
developed by the strategic foothold in their bloc.

interviews with astronauts and technologists, andinformation about space education activity they can

The Center’s series of learning materials designed for theenhanced in an effective manner to benefit each of theparticipate in, across Japan. Copies are available in schoolclassroom are linked to subjects mandated by the official

primary and secondary schools without requiring direct

libraries, science museums, and online. (http://edu.jaxa.jp/

curriculum, for easy implementation in classes such as

and intense support by the Center itself. While it does

As of March 2017, the Center has concluded agreements

soratobi)social studies, science, even ethics.

not need to be a school, and it could well be a science

with 36 entities to serve as its strategic footholds in all

museum or a board of education in the local community,

nine blocs.

Space is only a click away with Space Education TV, ouronline video channel packed with original content for

The workbooks for “Space School for Families” areyoung people, space education professionals, and thedesigned to be provided in sets (of 30 over one year) for

general public. Our programming requirements are simple:

home learning. Some 104 workbooks have been created tothe content should be interesting, and it should be useful.

date, and we have been seeing expanding use of individual

Check out the eclectic collection, from satellite launch andworkbooks, and beyond the setting of family homes at

expert speaker sessions to space-related experiments andthat. Of these workbooks, we have localized 40 of themcoverage of educational events like the “Space Science

into English to date.

<Strategic Footholds (Partnership) of the Space Education Center>

Hokkaido

Reporter for a Day” program.
(http://fanfun.jaxa.jp/jaxatv/yac)

On a related note, our learning materials extend to

The Space Education Center shares information about

recordings of simple experiments conducted in the Kibo

its events on Twitter. It’s also a great way to stay in touch

module by JAXA astronauts during their multi-monthafter one of our many international outreach. Heart us,

stay on the International Space Station. The contrast withretweet us, and share your own pictures of events!

earthbound iterations of the same experiment brings(@spaceedu_info)

home the mystery and allure of space.

Local government
Board of education
Science museum
OthersTohokuHokuriku &Shin-etsu

Kinki
Kanto

Chugoku

Tokai
Shikoku
Kyushu &Okinawa

18

19

Report of JAXA Space Education Center
On Its Activities in 2016 – 2017

Space Education Center
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
3-1-1 Yoshinodai, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, 252-5210, Japan
Tel:+81-50-3362-5039 Fax: +81-42-759-8612
http://edu.jaxa.jp

201708