IYC Specials in Japan & Brazil
As the International Year of Chemistry drew to a close, news from Japan and Brazil offers a snapshot of successful outreach efforts that took place all around the world throughout 2011.
In a hands-on event designed to let children experience the wonders of chemistry, organisations joined forces in Japan for the “2011 Children’s Chemical Experiment Show: An International Year of Chemistry Special”.
Organised by Dream Chemistry 21, a group focused on promoting chemistry, the children’s experiment event has been held annually since 1995. Traditionally it takes place during the children’s summer holidays but was postponed this year until the end of November as part of electricity-saving measures in force after the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that devastated east Japan in March.
About 12,000 elementary school children and their parents participated in the 2011 experiment show held on November 26-27 at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Tokyo. During the event, member companies of the Japan Chemical Industry Association (JCIA) and other chemical organizations hosted 19 different experiment classrooms, two stage shows and a special event - a “Performance of Drawings in Light” - to celebrate the International Year of Chemistry (IYC). Many of the experiments enlisted the participation of children from the audience and included: making batteries using fruits; demonstrating how detergents work; recycling plastics; a water treatment process; and production of aromatics.
“Never stop dreaming”
The venue was in darkness to showcase outstanding illuminated drawings for the “Performance of Drawings in Light,” using luminous paint by artist Jinpei Washiro, who presented the world inspired through the collaboration of chemistry and art. “Never stop dreaming the dreams of childhood,” the artist told his audience.
Visiting the show, JCIA Chairman Kenji Fujiyoshi said he was delighted at the number of children who attended: “Although there are many people who see chemistry in a negative light, it is important that our children participate in the experiment show and experience at firsthand the wonder and fun of chemistry and the many uses and benefits of chemistry in our daily life.” He added it was hoped to expand the event and take it nationwide for the future.
Fujiyoshi added that IYC had “provided a good opportunity for us to review how the chemical industry should use events like this to communicate with the general public. Moving forward, with next year marking the International Year of Energy, we intend to give some thought to how the chemical industry can benefit energy and the issues surrounding the subject.”
The week preceding the show featured a host of showcase technologies at the museum including shape memory alloy, polarizing board, and heat sensitive colours.
Engaging students in Brazil
Around 127,000 students from 369 grade and middle schools in 133 cities throughout the Brazilian state of São Paulo benefited from the “IYC in School – Chemistry, our lives, our future” project. The scheme ran until end October and included over 1,800 lectures, with the participation of 138 speakers including chemistry teachers, specialists and professionals. The aim was to show children and young people the importance of chemistry to society and the ways it is present in daily life, awakening students’ interest in science as a topic and a profession.