Attempting STEM Education in Informal Japanese Educational Facilities Through the Theme of "Sand"

Abstract

The Shizuoka Science Museum RU KU RU and the Lifelong Learning Centers in Shizuoka City, Japan, hold many class sessions for elementary school students. At these sessions, scientific experiential programs are provided to cultivate children’s interests and curiosities in nature and science. The authors focused on one of the experiential programs and explored ways to make STEM education programs based on the expected science-education programs of the future. The possibility of making and practicing STEM programs was found by consciously incorporating science, technology, engineering, and mathematical activities on the theme of sand, a material that is familiar to children, into the educational programs.