Visit by ASCENT-6E high school students on January 13, 2025

On Monday, January 13th, 2025, we were glad to receive the visit of 15 high school students (13 female and 2 male) enrolled in the STELLA Program ASCENT-6E of Chiba University. The students, accompanied by the Program Director Prof. Jun Nomura, Prof. Atsushi Tsuji, and Program Coordinators Prof. Qian Wang and Prof. Hina Morishige, were welcome to a one-day workshop organized by iTHEMS members. The workshop consisted of a series of presentations in which iTHEMS members talked about some of the fundamental, yet unresolved, questions about our universe. We covered topics ranging from mathematics, biology, physics, and philosophy of science. The objective was to promote the curiosity of students towards science, using iTHEMS as an example of how scientists from different disciplines may interact and do research together under the same roof. We also took the chance to advertise the different RIKEN programs for young researchers and encouraged the students to follow their dreams of becoming professional scientists.

During lunchtime and the interactive sessions, we also enjoyed nice opportunities to converse directly with the students, listen to their particular interests, and answer their questions. This visit by the STELLA program ASCENT-6E students was an invaluable opportunity for us at iTHEMS to understand the current situation of young students, their motivations, and their innovative ideas. For the sake of promoting love for science, inclusivity in academia, and a closer interaction with society, we hope that we can create more bridges between the iTHEMS members and the young students in the future.

We are glad that the workshop was a success. Please see the webpage of STELLA Program ASCENT-6E to read some of the comments that students made regarding their visit to iTHEMS.

Reported by José Said Gutiérrez-Ortega