Barbara Pool Launches Online Service for STEAM School "SPARK!" to be Implemented at Childcare Facilities Nationwide in Japan

We are looking for childcare facilities from all over the country who would like to introduce STEAM education for 3-6 year olds.

- The following is content from the press release -

　(Head Office: Koto-ku, Tokyo; President: Yumiri Inoue) will start offering a next-generation STEAM school "SPARK!
SPARK! provides cross-disciplinary learning based on STEAM education that stimulates children's curiosity and excitement in their early years, and helps them acquire the "problem-finding", "problem-solving", and "ability to create new values" necessary to survive and thrive in the future, whether in Japan or anywhere else in the world. The program provides cross-disciplinary learning based on STEAM education to childcare facilities throughout Japan.

SPARK! website: https://spark-japan.com

In recent years, as the term "STEAM education" is gradually becoming popular, especially in the education industry, it is said that education needs to change as the world is drastically changing, STEAM JAPAN, which has offices in Japan, Silicon Valley, and the U.K. and disseminates the latest information on STEAM education and creative learning around the world, has developed a systematic STEAM education class program that can be deployed at childcare facilities throughout Japan, utilizing its unique global network and knowledge.

This will enable childcare facilities that wish to provide children with learning that is appropriate for the coming age to do so in a sustainable form, without being restricted by location or personnel, and by making effective use of time for extracurricular activities and other activities.

What is *STEAM Education?

A term coined by combining the first letters of five English words: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. An educational philosophy that adds creativity education to science and mathematics education covering the five areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. It is cross-disciplinary learning that creates a cycle of knowing (inquiry) and creating (creativity). (For more information, click here: https://steam-japan.com/about/ )

The world that SPARK!

STEAM education is still not widely recognized in Japan, but it is said to be the new standard in education worldwide. While the world is shifting to "creating" learning across disciplines, we launched SPARK!

Service Overview and Features

SPARK! is a systematic STEAM education program that allows childcare facilities to take the initiative in providing ongoing learning for children.

Overview:

Program target: 3 to 6 years old
Program collaboration target: Kindergartens, childcare facilities, daycare centers, and other childcare facilities where students eligible for the program gather.
Contents: Distribution of STEAM materials that can be introduced at educational facilities for young children, etc., explanation, teacher support, introduction support, etc.
Service start date: 10/1/2023

Features:

A wide variety of STEAM activities that can be practiced throughout the year
Content that can be easily implemented by teachers in childcare facilities
Time and price plans that can be done in a class frame.
Activity Explanation and Support System for Troubleshooting

Program Supervision

Tetsuhisa Shirazu, Associate Professor, Department of Elementary Education, Faculty of Human Sociology, Showa Women's University

Message:

In order to increase children's curiosity toward learning, education must shift from passively cramming them with given knowledge to teaching them to learn what they want to learn. By introducing STEAM education from early childhood, children's independence and creativity can be nurtured. Activities such as this one, in which children are free to create and improve their own creations and set their own goals, are important for STEAM education.

advisory

Yasuaki Kakehi, Professor, Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, The University of Tokyo, Former Visiting Associate Professor, MIT Media Lab

Message:

STEAM is an important element that connects the left and right brains, logical thinking and sensory perception, as well as the ability to notice, create, and communicate. The bridges that connect elements from different fields that lead to the creation of new value are acquired in the SPARK! program, which focuses on STEAM education.

Introduction Results

Decision to introduce the IB International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) Ichijo School as the first accredited school in Japan (Sunnyside International School)

Activity Lineup (partial):

Sequential delivery of activity packages for 11 months, excluding the summer vacation period

Activity-related pages (image):

Video tutorial, expert commentary (image):

Course fee (per child):

Course conducted 4 times a month 8,000 yen (tax not included)

*The course fee will be split between both the kindergarten and SPARK!

About ▼STEAM JAPAN

The editorial department of "STEAM JAPAN", based in Japan, Silicon Valley, and the UK, provides the latest information on "STEAM education around the world" and "learning to create". It is the only media company in Japan that specializes in STEAM education. In addition, to promote STEAM education in Japan, he advocates an ecosystem to promote STEAM education in collaboration with local governments, and implements it in each area through public-private partnerships. He also serves as the secretariat of the executive committee for the STEAM JAPAN AWARD (supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology), in which junior high and high school students solve social issues with their own skills, and conducts STEAM teacher training (e-learning) and facilitator/coordinator training for boards of education and teachers throughout Japan, based on the content of the practices in each region. The company is also involved in the following activities.

WEB:. https://steam-japan.com/

FACEBOOK:. https://www.facebook.com/STEAM-JAPAN-100676431629608/

Instagram:. https://www.instagram.com/steam_japan/