Experiencing the Wonders of
Life and Joys of Science
Hitoshi Kihara was an important figure in the fields of genetics and evolution theory who made numerous research breakthroughs including the pioneering, world's-first establishment of the genome concept. Throughout his life, he devoted great effort toward cultivating interest and abilities in the sciences among children. Therefore, to celebrate the 100th birthday of the late professor in 1992, we established the Kihara Memorial Children’s Science Award.
This award comprises multiple prizes awarded to children in recognition of their direct interactions with and careful observations of living things as well as precise data recording and subsequent creation of clear and understandable presentation pieces that express how they felt and what surprised them throughout the process. With the rapid spread of digital technologies throughout our society, some believe that we are becoming overly focused on efficiency and the inorganic and superficial. Therefore, it is vital in this day and age for children to experience the wonders of life and joys of science, as these provide opportunities to better understand the importance of life itself. In pursuit of this as well as the goal of fostering future Yokohama City and Kanagawa Prefecture citizens who can view things from scientific perspectives, we award these prizes to children every year. We look forward to seeing more new works submitted by the students of elementary and junior high schools throughout Kanagawa.
Submissions
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Eligibility
Must be a student who attends an elementary or junior high school in Kanagawa Prefecture
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Award Prizes
Top Prize, Prize for Excellence, Prize for Effort, Participation Prize, others
The Everyday Experiments
of Hitoshi Kihara
Throughout his life, Professor Hitoshi Kihara enjoyed conducting simple, everyday experiments involving basic observations and activities that didn't rely on the use of expensive machinery, advanced facilities, or stiff and unbending approaches. Never content with what he learned from classes and textbooks alone, Kihara preferred to look at and touch things for himself, experiencing the many wondrous things of the world and appreciating Mother Nature. Therefore, we invite experts and professionals to lead similar types of small, simple experiments during activities related to the Kihara Memorial Children’s Science Award.