Natural Science
Wakuwaku Science Workshop
Wakuwaku Science Workshop
The Wakawaku Project (literally, "Exciting Project") aims to encourage children to take an interest in science by providing science workshops for elementary and junior high school children. The workshops are run mainly by Olympus staff working as volunteers.
The program provides children with opportunities to learn about the properties and mysteries of light, a field of science in which Olympus has extensive knowledge and experience. Olympus supports the program by providing equipment and materials for use in experiments and in other ways. Activities are designed to be exciting for the participating Olympus staff as well as the children.
Five programs were implemented in FY 2007. Hirofumi Tsuchida, head of optical technology at the Corporate R&D Center, who leads the Olympus Wakuwaku Project, received an award from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan in 2008 in recognition of his efforts to promote understanding of science and technology.
Natural Science Observation Contest
Originating in 1960 as a microscope observation contest, this event has evolved into what it is today; an opportunity for elementary and junior high students to develop scientific thinking by discovering and investigating mysteries within their own local communities.
Olympus has been a co-sponsor ever since the beginning, and continues to play an active role in running the contest, including the preparation of application guidelines, the display of posters, and the production of videos to help parents motivate their children to take an interest in science.
Olympus also organizes the judging of entries, invites special guests for the award ceremonies, and assists with presentations by winners. The number of participating schools and entries has steadily increased to a record 567 participating schools and more than 10,000 entries in the 48th contest in 2007.
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