Science Zone (2023)

It is generally believed that the sense of smell is a kind of fuzzy sensation. But the olfaction itself plays indispensable roles in human life. The biggest reason why we do not pay attention to olfaction is that this system skips the recognition step in the brain and sends signals directly to the deep part of the brain. Because of such neuronal projection, olfactory senses play roles without inducing your recognition. We are able to catch hundreds of thousands of odorants. Pleasant flavors and fragrances bring about a comfortable state, while bad smells induce bad feelings and emotions.

In this workshop, first, you will receive a lecture regarding the molecular mechanisms of olfactory signal transduction and olfactory masking. Next, using several pleasant smells, you will try to create an elegant fragrance that can also mask an unpleasant odor. Through these activities, we believe that you will understand the fundamental mechanism of olfaction, and how you can use olfactory masking in your daily life.

How do you build your shelters after you arrive at the Moon, Mars, or Titan? Let’s learn about the resources and the climate of those bodies. There are different materials available depending on where you are. Moon or Mars, soil from the ground can create bricks. Titan, igloo house might be your choice.

In this zone, participants will be divided into groups. Each group chooses a planet or a satellite in the Solar System and discuss how to build habitats there. The planning includes the building material from the vicinity as well as the concept of how to deal with the climate of that location. Let’s say the group is selling that idea to the United Federation of Planets. The group needs to convince the financiers to go with your group’s plan.

What if a robot could understand your thoughts, intentions and what you are trying to do? What if a robot could understand your mind? Such ideas have long attracted the interest of researchers. Cybernetics (Norbert Wiener 1894-1964) attempted to achieve the former question from Mechanical Engineering expertise, while AI Computer (Alan Mathison Turing 1912-1954) attempted to solve the latter question from Information Science expertise. 

Today's practical training will focus on brain-machine interface (BMI), a technology that connects human physically and mentally to machines and is an important technology for the realization of Cybernetics and AI Computer. First, I lecture on robots past and present. And experience using your own body to move the robot! After the practical training on BMI, you will discuss and present in groups on “Should robots understand the human mind?”. Move your brain and body and have fun!! 

What do you imagine when you hear about “electronic circuits”? Most of you may think that they are difficult, far from reality, and complicated like a maze. Actually, electronic circuits are being used in almost all products that support our daily lives, such as smart phones, TVs, cars, air conditioners, refrigerators, etc. Electronic circuits make many things possible to make our lives more convenient by calculating, sending data, turning lights on and off, etc. depending on the combination of various types of components and circuit paths. This time we'll try creating actual electric circuits using just a battery, LEDs, and a special marker that, its ink could easily become electric paths!

In this science zone, students will learn what the field of engineering is and then work in groups to complete two fun engineering challenges.  First, you will have to build a bridge using only straws and pipe cleaners to span a 20 cm gap which will then be tested to see how much weight it can hold.  Second, you will be introduced to straw rockets which you will then build and test to hit a target 10 meters away. Communication and the engineering design thinking method will definitely help you win these challenges. The winner of this zone will be the team that has the best scores on these two challenges.  Do you have what it takes to problem solve and be the best engineer? Are you curious about what engineering is? Then this is the zone for you!

Techniques for beautifully dyeing textiles beautifully has been known since ancient times. There are many types of dyeing methods, each rooted in the nature, climate, topography, history, culture, religion, economy, and commerce of the country or region from which they originate. 

There are many types of fibers such as cotton, linen, silk, wool, rayon, acetate, nylon, Vinylon, acrylic, and polyester. There are also many types of dyes, including acid dyes, direct dyes, and disperse dyes. Pairs of fibers and dyes have compatibility, so even if the same dye is used, some fibers will dye, and others will not. 

In this zone, we will first conduct experiments to examine the properties of various fibers (texture, burning, water absorption, etc.). Then, we will perform an experiment to find out which dyes various fibers are more likely to be dyed with. Finally, by analyzing and applying the differences in the degrees of dyeing we will consider a method for identifying fibers through dyeing.