Educational Features SSH
Science Education by the Numbers
SSH Designated
School:
22
consecutive years
45
schools scheduled
to participate
in JSSF 2023
(32 overseas, 13 domestic)
Number of Overseas
Science Training
Programs
13
(as of 2023)
Super Science High School (SSH Designated School)
A Super Science High School (SSH) is a high school designation created by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) for schools that provide advanced science and mathematics education to promote the cultivation of future science and technology professionals. Our school has made significant progress in international science education through research and development. We have established and expanded our scientific exchanges with overseas schools specializing in science and mathematics education in the pursuit of new forms of international science education with a major pillar of our efforts being international joint research initiatives with students from overseas. In addition, we have held the Japan Super Science Fair (JSSF) 20 times, earning a reputation with high school students from around the world as a highly anticipated trusted venue for presentations and scientific exchange and their eager anticipation. Science education at Ritsumeikan High School has undergone major changes through our SSH research and development endeavors and it is hoped that we can disseminate our results to high school across the country.
History of SSH Research and Development at Our School
We have received this designation for 22 consecutive years since 2002. In our third and fourth periods, we were designated as a Core SSH as well as being tasked with the development of science and technology human resources. As a part of this, we developed international science educational methods and expanded them into international collaborative research practices. In our fifth period, having been designated a “leading reform” school, we aim to spread the results of international science education that we have achieved thus far nationwide to help facilitate the creation of an environment in which high school students throughout Japan who wish to engage in international join research can do so at any time.
Over many years of research and development, we have come to believe that cultivating inquiry-based academic skills through the pursuit of research projects plays a significant role in the development of students. We view high school-university collaborations and international exchanges as important avenues towards viewing research topics from a broader perspective and being able to examine them more deeply. This is an essential research and development project that aims to help students in the near future become people who will be able to work with anyone, anywhere in the world, with original ideas, without regard to national borders, for the well-being of humankind.
Research and Development Themes from the 1st Period to the Present
| Period 1: | Theme 1: Research and development of educational content to increase students' motivation, interest, and enthusiasm for learning science and mathematics. |
|---|---|
| Theme 2: Research and development of educational programs to acquire a high level of knowledge in science and mathematics and foster a foundation for rich creativity. | |
| Theme 3: Research and development regarding collaboration between high schools, universities, and graduate schools to nurture a great sense of purpose to lead a nation of science and technology innovators. | |
| Theme 4: Research and development on guidance to improve the ethics and social skills of people engaging in scientific and technological pursuits. | |
| Period 2: | Theme 1: Implementation of international joint research and exchange learning activities with symbolic themes of “life,” “robots,” and “environment,” and research and development of educational content. |
| Theme 2: Research and development of an integrated junior high, high school, and graduate school integrated education program aimed at developing human resources in the fields of science and mathematics who will become leaders in the 21st century global society. (People who take on the challenge of developing and utilizing knowledge.) | |
| Theme 3: Research and development to enhance fundamental academic skills, ethics, and communication skills through project-based learning and international exchange. | |
| Period 3: | Research and development of an educational system that cultivates the skills to become scientists who will play an active role on the international stage. |
| Period 4: | Development of a system that promotes the cultivation of talented, globally-minded individuals in the fields of science and mathematics who utilizes international networks. |
| Period 5: Leading Reform |
Pursuit of a global design for science education and the creation of a system for the nationwide dissemination of international collaborative research projects. |
| Period 5: Leading Reform - Phase Ⅱ |
Dissemination of international science education and cultivation of non-cognitive skills necessary for scientists and engineers to be active on the international stage. |
International Science Education
Over the course of 22 years of SSH research and development, we have built strong ties with science schools around the world, and by leveraging that network, we have many opportunities to participate in various contests and science fairs. We actively conduct international joint research with overseas high school students, and we have a wide range of initiatives that provide great stimulation and inspiration for students to take on the challenge. We are committed to nurturing future scientists who will take the initiative and play an active role on the world stage.
Japan Super Science Fair (JSSF)
JSSF is a large-scale international science fair held at Ritsumeikan High School every November. Over 100 science-loving high school students from more than 20 countries gather at Ritsumeikan to present their research projects and work in international teams to learn, discuss, and create. It is a traditional international science event that has been held continuously since 2003, and last year marked its 20th anniversary. The student executive committee is involved in the planning of the event, and they also manage and host the event themselves. During the five days of JSSF, students will gain a strong sense of confidence, irreplaceable experiences, lifelong friendships, and big dreams that will propel them into their future on the international stage.
Overseas Science Training
We have been actively developing programs to interact with schools specializing in science and mathematics in various countries around the world. We implement programs to send students to overseas science training programs more than 10 times a year. We offer various forms of science training, such as participation in science fairs held at overseas schools, programs to participate in classes at overseas schools, science training through special programs at overseas schools, and contests in which students compete to solve problems in mathematics and science.
International Joint Research
We have placed great importance on international joint research efforts by high school students. We believe that the following abilities can be acquired or improved:
- The ability to discuss objectives and methods from a broader perspective.
- The ability to communicate in English.
- The ability to coordinate – sharing roles and working through differences in opinion.
- The ability to make friends in the future, regardless of national borders.
Recently, we have organized the International Collaborative Research Project to enable students from many schools in Japan to conduct international collaborative research and have developed it into an initiative involving many schools. In 2023, 22 domestic schools and 19 overseas schools participated in the project.