Environmental Education at Sakado Senior High School, University of Tsukuba

Abstract

Sakado Senior High School, University of Tsukuba (UTSS) is an integrated curriculum high school. The educational goal is to provide students with a comprehensive general and specialized education so that they become life-long learners who are able to adapt and continue making contributions in an ever-changing society. As one means of achieving this goal, UTSS offers several environmental education activities, including in-school programs, cooperative activities with other institutions, and international educational opportunities. Students can study useful animal and plants and acquire knowledge and skills for utilizing them, while also learning how to conserve and protect nature, wildlife, and the environment. A wide range of agricultural and environmental activities are carried out at the school's large operational farm. Many students raise and harvest vegetables for the first time in the required class Industrial Society and Human Beings. UTSS students also participate in cooperative activities with other institutions. For example, students can conduct field work in cooperation with the Agriculture and Forestry Research Center at the University of Tsukuba. UTSS also works with various non-profit organizations, national institutes, and local communites to provide a broad range of educational experiences to UTSS students. Every year, students have the opportunity to interact with visitors from foreign countries (e.g., Thailand, Indonesia, the United States, and Afghanistan). Some students do research projects on international issues and receive financial support from the Education Bureau of Laboratory Schools at the University of Tsukuba. UTSS teaching staff also is offered the opportunity to work in developing countries through the Japan International Cooperation Agency.