The Sapporo Science Center: An International Middle Years Entry Point

By Miu Yamazaki

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Introduction:

Hokkaido International School (HIS) provides an opportunity for middle school students to explore the world around them through "entry points" so that they have real-world experience discovering the insights behind the big ideas presented through the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC). At HIS we believe in experiencing and feeling our learning. For our most recent entry point, we visited The Sapporo Science Center to better understand our big idea, curiosity.

Departing

On November 8, the middle school (MS) Huskies departed for Sapporo Science Center located at 5 Chome-2-20 Atsubetsuchuo 1 Jo, Atsubetsu Ward, Sapporo. It was a short drive, just 30 minutes from HIS. We headed out from school at 9:00 in the morning; the 6th grade and 7th graders rode on the big bus together, and the 8th grade got the small bright orange bus all to themselves. 

Entering the Science Center

Upon entering the science center, we got into small groups; each group got an explanation from Mr Fazio, the 8th-grade teacher and coordinator of the IMYC. He passed out an exploration sheet and set us on our way. To encourage inspired exploration, we were allowed to peruse the first floor and second floor by ourselves, seeking answers for the exploration worksheet. 

We explored a lot of places; they were separated by categories: how snow is made, gravity, the human body, the history of Hokkaido, what helps our daily life, and the diagonal room. In our group, a lot of people seemed to enjoy the diagonal room the best; it was an experience we had never had, and it was curious that we could walk or stand normally in the diagonal room. 

Lunch

MS students went to eat lunch in a room where the table was listed as "Hokkaido International School". All students were asked to bring a packable lunch, but there was also a vending machine for drinks and ice cream. A lot of MS students went to buy a specific drink: a cider that froze from giving an impact to the bottle like banging on the floor. 

The Planetarium

After lunchtime, we moved to see the planetarium. There were many other visitors besides ourselves. Japanese primary schools, couples, and families with children. We saw a planetarium movie that is for the kids, and it was very interesting. The story of the planetarium we watched included, the ghost going into the planetarium and exploring the solar system and constellations. It was a unique way to explore our solar system.

Souvenirs, Reflection, Departure

After watching the planetarium show, we went to check out souvenirs. There were a lot of curious things that I had never seen; there was a book about space, a science experiment kit, space foods, etc. A lot of students were enjoying the unique souvenirs and some even decided to buy them. Other students were working on completing their final reflections in the exploration sheet.

After that, we walked back to the bus to depart, spending the thirty minutes on the bus reflecting on our experience before arriving back at HIS for our 4th block class.

All in all, it was a day filled with real-life observations and exploration, just like science should be.