Advanced Education Outreach Lab(AEO)

Developing a Sustainable and Progressive Inquiry-Based Learning and STEAM Education Model in Co-creation with Schools and Local Governments

AEO is a one-stop function for education outreach at the RCAST. In response to the growing need toward universities and researchers for inquiry-based learning, STEAM education in primary and secondary education, AEO is co-creating advanced and interdisciplinary educational opportunities with RCAST’s researchers from various academic fields, in collaboration with schools and local governments.
Starting with counseling for the client, we offer a one-stop service that includes building specific projects, planning content, matching with the optimal researchers, coordination, support for implementing programs, and evaluating their effectiveness.
Graduate students from the University of Tokyo, who are closer in age to students and serve as a bridge between the researchers and the children, are actively engaged as the face of the AEO, playing a crucial role.
Examples of specific practical initiatives include the following:
The “RCAST Youth Academy,” an original program organized by RCAST and operated by AEO, welcomes high school students who wish to pursue in-depth research on their own themes. These students, known as “High School Researchers,” receive individualized support from university faculty and graduate students. The program also offers the “Future Innovators Series,” an opportunity to casually watch online discussions among graduate students and early-career researchers.
In collaboration with local governments, AEO also supports high school educational reform.
Additionally, the “RCAST Research Tour” hosts visits from school groups across Japan and abroad who wish to observe RCAST’s research environment.
To address the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields, AEO also promotes awareness by showcasing diverse female role models in STEM and providing opportunities for dialogue.
Furthermore, to expand the range of contributors beyond the conventional roles of university and high school teachers, we are committed to developing and nurturing graduate and undergraduate students, as well as educational coordinators, as new key players in supporting inquiry-based and STEAM education at the secondary level.
AEO publishes the journal Advanced Educational Outreach, featuring contributions from faculty members, student affiliates, and high school researchers, and distributes it via the academic platform J-STAGE, in addition to maintaining a YouTube channel that archives online events.

Member

• 
• • Project Assistant Professor
    Akiko MORI
  Research Area: Education

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