Participated as a lecturer in the "High School-University Collaboration Environmental Learning Exchange"

From August 2 to 4, 2025, the “High School–University Environmental Learning Exchange,” jointly organized by the Yamawaki Institute for Urodeles and Tottori University, was held at “Hiruzen no Mori” in Okayama Prefecture. Designed to promote environmental learning while fostering interaction among students from schools participating in the Amphibian High School Student Summit, the event brought together 35 high school students from five schools nationwide.

As a lecturer, We joined the Animal Team and led hands-on sessions featuring planarian fieldwork and training in regeneration and behavioral observation. In addition to the animal fieldwork, participants also studied local flora and aquatic insects. The venue hosted a wide range of educational booths—including freshwater turtles, newts, zebrafish, an electron microscope, and environmental DNA (eDNA)—through which students deepened their understanding via direct dialogue with specialists.

On the final day, following the student presentations, an optional laboratory tour was offered. There, We introduced planarians as a research model in a quiz format, enabling participants to experience the appeal of scientific research firsthand.

The active engagement and thoughtful perspectives of the high school students were truly inspiring, and I found the program to be exceptionally rewarding.