Embedded Files
August 21th Fisheries Research Institute Field Trip
For interested students, we visited the Fisheries Research Institute in Hamajima-cho, Shima City, on Friday, August 21, to conduct a marine field study. In the morning, we boarded the research vessel “Asama” to measure seawater transparency and collect plankton samples. In the wheelhouse, which we toured before setting sail, we received explanations about each piece of equipment lined up in a row, and the students appeared deeply fascinated. They were also able to learn—both through direct experience and data—that seawater temperatures differ significantly between the surface layer and deeper waters.
In the afternoon, we attended a lecture on the fisheries industry in Mie Prefecture, observed the collected marine plankton, and toured the rearing facility. We saw students attempting to identify the plankton they had found themselves and asking detailed questions about the ecology of spiny lobsters.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone at the Fisheries Research Institute who, despite their busy schedules, went out of their way to ensure the safety of this training program. We hope that the students will build upon what they saw and heard during this trip as part of their own learning and apply it to their future career choices and research activities.
August 18th, 19th Experiment Workshop for Junior High School Students
During the two-day Open School event held on Tuesday, August 18, and Wednesday, August 19, we held an “Experiment Workshop for Junior High School Students” in the afternoons with the aim of broadly introducing Ise High School’s SSH program to junior high school students. A total of 45 junior high school students participated on the first day, and 29 on the second day.
The schedule was the same on both days. First, in the audiovisual room, three students from the SSH Advance Inquiry C program presented the results of their inquiry activity, “The Potential of Injecting Acidic Liquids into the Ground as a Countermeasure Against Liquefaction.” Afterward, the junior high school students split into workshops based on their subject preferences. In the physics workshop, through an experiment on “waves,” students walked around the classroom to observe how sound differed depending on their location and actually calculated the wavelength of sound waves. Cheers erupted when their calculations yielded results close to the actual values. In the chemistry workshop, through an “liquid nitrogen” experiment, they froze balloons, flowers, bananas, and other items to experience the world of ultra-low temperatures. Participants shared comments such as, “Even if my prediction wasn’t correct, it was a new discovery,” and “I learned about unexpected uses for liquid nitrogen.” In the biology workshop, they conducted the “Origami Bird” experiment, which simulates biological evolution. It seems some students realized how what they’re learning in middle school now connects to their future studies in high school.
We would be delighted if this initiative helped spark a greater interest in the world of science. To all middle school students: we look forward to the day we can study together at Ise High School!
August 5th, 6th SSH Student Research Presentation Conference
Students from our school participated in the SSH Student Research Presentation Conference held on August 5 and 6 at the Kobe International Exhibition Hall.
This year, three students from the Earth Sciences program presented their research on the topic “The Potential of Injecting Acidic Liquids into the Ground as a Countermeasure Against Liquefaction.” Although they did not win any awards, they presented their research findings with confidence and poise, and were seen calmly answering questions from judges and visitors.
In addition, observing a variety of research presentations by SSH-designated schools from across the country and being exposed to diverse perspectives and research methods provided a valuable opportunity for inspiration and learning. We believe that the experience of presenting on a national stage has become a source of great confidence and a valuable asset for our students. We look forward to seeing them apply the knowledge and experience gained from this event to their future career paths and various aspects of their lives.
August 5th, 6th SSH Domestic Study Tour (Kansai Region)
In the Kansai region, on the morning of the first day, we visited the Kobe International Exhibition Hall to observe the SSH Student Research Presentation Conference. In the afternoon, we visited the International Museum of Healthcare and Living in Kobe, also located on Port Island, where we were given explanations about medical devices and the latest developments in the medical field while having the opportunity to see and handle actual medical equipment. In the evening, a graduate of our school who is now attending Kyoto University joined us for a training session. Through conversations with the alumni, we were able to hear many stories about their experiences with entrance exam preparation, student life, and job hunting, making this a very meaningful training session. On the morning of the second day, we visited the Wakamiya Laboratory at Kyoto University’s Uji Campus. After attending a lecture, we were given a tour of the facilities. In the first half of the lecture, the speaker discussed the importance of having dreams—explaining that having a dream changes one’s attitude toward studying—while the second half focused on cutting-edge research. During the facility tour, we were shown measuring instruments and observed actual research activities. In the afternoon, we took a stroll around the Kyoto University campus. Those who wished to do so were given a guided tour of the campus by current Kyoto University students (graduates of Ise High School), who provided detailed explanations along the way. Finally, we visited the Kyoto University Museum of Natural History and Culture, where we viewed exhibits spanning the broad fields of cultural history, natural history, and the history of technology. Throughout the two days, we focused our visits on science and technology facilities conducting cutting-edge research. Not only were the exhibits and experimental facilities at these institutions state-of-the-art, but the lectures and explanations also addressed themes relevant to our daily lives. As a result, the students listened intently to the instructors’ explanations, allowing the program to proceed smoothly. We hope you will apply what you gained from this two-day program to your future inquiry-based activities and career decisions.
August 3rd, 4th SSH Domestic Study Tour (Kanto Region)
Every summer vacation, our school organizes a “Domestic Study Tour” to visit universities, research institutes, museums, and other facilities conducting cutting-edge research. The purpose of this program is to learn about their research and to broaden students’ horizons in the natural sciences. The Kanto region tour took place from Monday, August 3, to Tuesday, August 4.
On the first day, we visited the University of Tokyo, where current students (graduates of Ise High School) gave us a tour of the Hongo Campus. The students seemed inspired by the vastness of the university grounds and the unique atmosphere of a research institution, which was a new experience for them. Next, we visited the Earthquake Research Institute, the University of Tokyo, where Director Takashi Komura gave a presentation ranging from the mechanisms behind earthquakes to the latest research, taking into account the geographical conditions of Mie Prefecture. Afterward, guided by two graduate students, we toured the “Hagitori Specimens” exhibition and the Seismometer Museum. Although the students seemed nervous at first, comments such as “I learned the importance of pursuing research by asking questions and exploring various topics” and “I thought it was really impressive to see experts from various fields—not just seismology, but also volcanology, geology, and structural engineering—collaborating toward the single goal of ‘disaster mitigation’” suggest that their exposure to real-world research sparked a greater interest in the world of academia.
In the evening, our students held a roundtable discussion with undergraduate and graduate students (Ise High School graduates) living in the Kanto region. They asked questions about college entrance exams, personal life, and future plans, and it seems they learned a great deal from the ways their seniors live their lives. The alumni shared a message with them: “While the experience of taking entrance exams is important, studying isn’t everything. We hope you’ll take an interest in a wide range of things and expand your community.”
On the second day, we took the “Yurikamome” monorail to the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Odaiba. Thanks to the typhoon, the weather was refreshing—hardly what one would expect in the middle of summer. Through hands-on exhibits that allowed them to experience cutting-edge science firsthand and by hearing the aspirations of those active in various fields of research, I believe the students gained many insights to apply to their own research projects.
I hope that all the students who participated in this two-day program will make the most of this valuable experience in their future career choices and in their ongoing SSH activities.
July 18th SSH Tokai Festa 2026
“SSH Tokai Festa 2025,” an event where SSH-designated schools—primarily from the Tokai region—gather to present the results of their research projects, was held and organized by Meijo University High School. Third-year students from our school participated, presenting one oral presentation and one poster presentation.
Although they did not win any awards, the day proved to be extremely meaningful for their future research, as they received valuable advice during the Q&A sessions following their presentations and were inspired by the presentations from other schools.
July 16 Visit to the Institute for Molecular Science
On July 16, three second-year students visited the Institute for Molecular Science in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture. In the morning, they attended lectures at the Center for Computational Science and the Extreme Ultraviolet Light Research Facility (UVSOR). They were able to see firsthand the facilities that support scientific research in Japan and appeared to be greatly inspired by the experience. In the afternoon, they received guidance on practical exercises and their research projects at Professor Yasutomo Segawa’s laboratory. The students were deeply impressed by the opportunity to work with valuable equipment and instruments—such as those used for X-ray crystallography—that they would not normally have access to. Additionally, during an information exchange session on research projects, they received valuable advice from students at other schools and graduate students. Participating students shared positive feedback such as, “I discovered the joy of experiencing new things. From now on, I want to take the initiative in my learning,” and “I realized the importance of foundational knowledge, in addition to critical thinking, judgment, and communication skills.” It was a very fruitful day.
July 14th, 15th SS Advance Inquiry A Elective Course: “Mini Inquiry”
On July 14 and 15, we held the “Mini Inquiry” course for 39 first-year students who had selected the SS Advance Inquiry A elective. The course allowed them to experience the process of hypothesis testing in the field of natural sciences. The students were divided into 10 groups and, working on the challenge of “Let’s Make a ‘High-Flying’ Origami Airplane,” went through the entire process: preliminary research → hypothesis formulation → experimental design → experimentation and data recording → analysis and discussion → presentation and Q&A. In addition to collaborating with the library on information-gathering methods, this workshop took an integrated approach to content the students are currently learning or will learn in individual subjects, such as fluid dynamics in physics, statistical analysis methods in mathematics, and how to organize presentation materials. We were also joined by two alumni—both active in the fields of engineering and information science—who served as teaching assistants (TAs) and shared insights on the mindset required for research and provided feedback on the experiments. While the students appeared to struggle at times with this inquiry-based process, which was a first for many of them, it was encouraging to see their determination to learn by collaborating with peers while focusing on the necessary mindset, knowledge, and skills required to advance their inquiry. We hope they will apply what they learned this time to future community-based PBL projects and their research projects starting in their second year and beyond. We look forward to seeing everyone’s future achievements!
July 13th Ise-Shima Muro Region Research and Exchange Meeting
On Monday, July 13, as the first initiative of its kind for Ise High School’s SSH program, we held an exchange meeting on inquiry-based learning with high school students from the Ise-Shima and Muro regions of Mie Prefecture. Students from Ise Technical High School, Ujiyamada Commercial High School, Owase High School, Shima High School, and Suisan High School visited our school in person, while students from the Kinomoto Campus of Kumano Seiran High School participated online. Moderated by students from our school’s Advanced Inquiry Course C, the first session involved sharing an overview of each school’s inquiry activities and their achievements to date. In the second session, participants split into two breakout groups—one for a workshop on setting research themes and the other for progress reports—where lively discussions took place. Although the students are all high schoolers from the same southern region of Mie Prefecture, the two-hour session allowed them to be inspired by learning about each school’s areas of expertise, take an interest in regional differences in perspective, and engage in conversations unique to their local communities. We could truly feel the breadth and depth of the discussions stemming from the flexible thinking characteristic of high school students. As Ise High School, we hope to deepen our own inquiry activities by learning from the insights of the participating schools and looking forward to future opportunities for exchange.
We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to all the high school students and teachers who took time out of their busy schedules to participate. We look forward to your continued support in the future.
July 10th Exchange Program with Shibaura Institute of Technology Kashiwa Junior and Senior High School and Kuratayama Junior High School
On Friday, July 10, with the aim of sharing and refining the results of our daily inquiry-based activities and fostering collaboration across different school levels, students and teachers from the Science Club at Shibaura Institute of Technology Kashiwa Junior and Senior High School in Chiba Prefecture, three third-year students from Ise Municipal Kuratayama Junior High School, and four students from our school’s Advanced B track participated in an online exchange session. Although the Ise High School students initially appeared nervous about this first-ever attempt to interact online with a high school outside their prefecture, after briefly introducing the themes they had set for themselves, they received advice from the students and teachers at Shibaura Institute of Technology Kashiwa Junior and Senior High School regarding “the feasibility of these inquiry activities in high school” and “the skills acquired through conducting research.” It appears to have been a very meaningful experience for them. The students from Kuratayama Junior High School also actively shared, in their own words, the topics they are currently interested in and the subjects they would like to explore through inquiry-based activities after entering high school, and were able to receive advice from high school students outside the prefecture. We hope they will make the most of the inspiration they gained from this experience in their daily lives after summer vacation and in their own inquiry-based activities.
Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in this inquiry exchange.
July 10th Biology Lab Workshop for Students Enrolled in SS Advance Inquiry Course A
With the primary goals of improving cell observation techniques using microscopes and deepening understanding of the immune system, we held a biology lab workshop on the afternoon of Friday, July 10, under the guidance of faculty members and students from the Faculty of Education at Kogakkan University. The session featured a variety of fascinating content, including a lecture by Professor Nakamatsu on the importance of inquiry-based learning, observation experiments led by Professor Sawa and students, and an introduction to research on parasitic wasps. During the experiment, students observed the phagocytosis of cells by using the body fluid of armyworm larvae to watch as the cells ingested a fluorescent dye that served as a foreign substance. This year, more students than usual selected the Advanced course, and it appears that each of the 39 participating students gained insights from this workshop that they can apply to their future inquiry-based activities. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the faculty and students of Kogakkan University for their cooperation, which extended beyond the scheduled time.
July 9th SS Inquiry II, SS Advanced Inquiry B: First Interim Presentation for Research Projects
“Research Projects” is the main program of SS Inquiry. Students form groups and select their themes during the third term of their first year, and then spend nearly the entire second year conducting research and compiling their findings.
During the first term of their second year, the main activity for each group is to develop a “research plan.”
On Thursday, July 9, the first interim presentation session was held to share these results, and each group presented their research plans and progress to date.
Third-year students who had undertaken the Research Project last year also participated in this session. Drawing on their experience of having successfully completed their own research, they offered sharp questions and practical advice regarding the second-year students’ presentations.
In addition, students enrolled in the SS Advance Inquiry B elective program engaged in an online exchange with our school’s alumni. It was a highly meaningful opportunity for dialogue, as they received feedback from seniors who are now pursuing specialized studies at universities and graduate schools.
The second-year students will now begin their full-scale research based on their plans, taking the advice they received into account. The second interim presentation session is scheduled for the end of the second semester. Please continue to work hard in your future activities to ensure a fulfilling research project.
July 7th SSH English Interview Test
We conducted the SSH English Oral Examination for 277 third-year students enrolled in SS Inquiry III and SS Advanced Inquiry C. We invited six ALTs from neighboring high schools to serve as examiners, and each student participated in a one-on-one oral examination in English with an ALT. During the exam, students explained their research topics in English and then answered questions about their research in English.
Although some students appeared nervous about communicating in English with ALTs they were meeting for the first time, they had practiced diligently right up until the exam and were able to fully demonstrate the results of their efforts. Many students who finished the exam wore expressions that conveyed a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.
Through this experience, we believe the students truly realized the importance of being able to convey their thoughts and research in English. We look forward to them continuing to deepen their learning, further honing their English proficiency, and aiming to become individuals capable of thriving on the international stage.
June 4th SS Inquiry I: Alumni Lecture
On Thursday, June 4, 2026, during the 7th period SS Inquiry class, we invited Yadome Hina, a graduate of the 60th graduating class of our school, to give a lecture to our 266 first-year students, titled “From Chloroplasts to the World of AI! A Science Career Path Inspired by Passion.” While attending our school, she conducted research on plants—a subject she had long been interested in—through inquiry activities in the SSH (Super Science High School) program. She subsequently pursued research on chloroplasts during her university and graduate studies. After completing her graduate studies, she took on the challenge of crossing disciplinary boundaries to enter the field of AI development, despite having no prior experience. During her lecture, she offered advice based on her personal experiences, emphasizing that “choices centered on what you love can pave the way forward” and that “skills cultivated through research, such as logical thinking and hypothesis testing, remain significant strengths even when changing fields.”
Following the lecture, a roundtable discussion was held for interested students, and she kindly answered each of their questions in detail. We hope the students will make good use of this valuable experience in their future research activities and career decisions.
July 11th 2nd Mie University School of Medicine Lecture Series
On Saturday, July 11, as part of Ise High School’s Super Science High School (SSH) program, we held the second “School of Medicine Lecture Series” of this academic year at Mie University’s School of Medicine.
First, a university professor gave a lecture on the process from animal dissection to tissue staining. He provided a detailed explanation of the procedure from anesthesia to perfusion fixation, suturing techniques, and the method for Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining. This was followed by a lecture on developmental disorders. In addition to learning about these disorders, the students gained a deeper understanding of the purpose and significance of medical research, including how dissection experiments are conducted to advance research in this field.
After the lectures, the students split into groups of six for hands-on training. Under the careful guidance of the instructors, they engaged in a wide-ranging program that included rat dissection, HE staining, observation of stained sections, and exercises using bone models. The students approached the practical sessions with a sense of solemnity and seriousness.
We were also joined by four medical students. The students had the opportunity to hear directly from them about life as a medical student and study methods used during high school to prepare for entrance exams, which proved to be an invaluable experience. Being exposed to medical research and interacting with medical students provided the students with a highly meaningful experience as they consider their own futures and career paths. We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone at Mie University’s School of Medicine for taking the time out of their busy schedules to provide such enthusiastic guidance.
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