Last July we accepted short-term exchange students from the US.
Two students from New Jersey paid a visit on July 9th. They had PE and calligraphy classes with the students in 1-7 and an English lesson with 1-6 students.
Three YFU exchange students spent two weeks at Saijo high school and experienced a Japanese high school life. They took part in club activities, a group match and cheering for the Saijo baseball team.
On July 30th, the ESS club members interacted with students from Kahoku University, who had stayed in Saijo. They seemed a little nervous at first, but gradually they became on friendlier terms through group talk. They had a fun time over Pon-Mame, or local sweets made from rice, and a game called "Fruit Basket Turnover."
On July 19th, the ESS international understanding club members invited two interns at EPIC, both of whom are from Hawaii University. Our students learned many aspects of Hawaii, such as geography, music, clothing, local food and local language. They also made a presentation on the charms of Saijo.
On July 20th, Mr. Watanabe, a president of the organization, is now working on treasuring the future of Ichinokawa mine. He gave a lecture at our school. Students of the chemistry club and the business course had his lecture. Mr. Watanabe has been studying Ichinokawa mine for a long time. He talked about the history of stibnite mined at Ichinokawa, and also he told us that Ichinokwa stibnite is exhibited at the British Museum and is a legacy Saijo citizens can be proud of.
On July 20th and 21st, Mr. Matsushita, who works for NIMS visited our school. Mr. Matshita is studying stibnite and he gave advice to the students who are working on the research study on Kiankou, or stibnite. They are now working on producing the mineral. By studying under what condition stibnite could be produced, they might find out why stibnite which was mined out at Ichinokawa, Saijo,is among the ones with the largest crystals in the world.
On July 19th, Friday, our students took part in the company tour. They visited Shikoku Power Plant Sakaide and Kagawa branch of Mitsubishi Chemical Institution, both of which are located in Sakaide City,Kagawa. Students learned about what both companies are working on, and had a facility tour.
The following is a student's answer to the task, "Is food in Japan healthy?"
I think that food in Japan is healthy. It is because Japanese food uses fish, vegetables and meat. So Japanese who eat them live for a long life. I often eat Japanese food. So I have not been sick for five years. I eat a lot of vegetables every day. Especially, I often eat tomatoes, because they have a lot of lycopene. So it is very good.
The following is a student's answer to the task, "Is food in Japan healthy?"
I don't think food in Japan is healthy. First, junk foods are increasing in Japan. Second, some Japanese foods use dangerous additives. EU stops using several additives that Japanese food still includes. I am afraid that food in Japan is unsafe and unhealthy.
On the afternoon of July 12, the first conference of SSH management and guidance commettee was held. Prior to the meeting the Basic Science Seminar Lesson was open to guests and visitors. Students in 1-2 made a presentation in English on four scientific phenomena such as Gaussian accelerator, Return cylinder, Melting ice and Rotating magnet. They were doing their best to make themselves understood.
On July 12th, the debriefing session of research study for the students in literature course was held. Our students made a presentation on their study which they have been working on since this April. Teachers from Ehime Prefectural Education Center gave the students advice on how they should make their research a fruitful one, how they could make their presentation effective, and how important it is to refer to previous studies.