[MIS21-04] Geopark activities and their effects by local high school students in Unzen Volcanic Area UNESCO Global Geopark
Keywords:Unzen Volcanic Area UNESCO Global Geopark, high school students, design of Geopark shirt, Koka high school
Introduction
It is necessary that younger generation realize values of geological, natural, cultural and historical heritages in their hometown in order to maintain local societies with sustainable manner. This poster introduces cases of geopark activities that local high school students (16 – 18 years old) are working.
Case 1: Holding “Unzen UGGp Research Presentation Seminar” for local high school students
The Research Presentation Seminar for local high school students has been held since 2012. In this seminar, research groups of high school students in the territory of Unzen UGGp carried out oral presentation about the results of their research as to the nature and earth scientific observations, agricultural procedures, marketing research for tourism and so on. These presentations were judged by several experts in the Council and awarded 3 prizes; First Prize, Second Prize and the Research Encouragement Award. The research groups obtained First and Second Prizes have opportunities visiting other geoparks in Japan so that their works will be developed more and more.
Case 2: Contest of an original design of Geopark shirt
It is common that members of a geopark’s office wear shirts with same design as a uniform to promote their geopark in Japan. In 2017, Unzen UGGp held for high school students the contest of an original design expressing features of our Geopark. 22 designs from three high schools presented were judged by local painters, high school teachers of art course and professional designers and decided First and Second Prizes. Visitors and local peoples can buy the original design shirt of First Prize at a museum shop in Mt. Unzen Disaster Memorial Hall (core facility of Unzen UGGp).
Case 3: Support of local research by Koka high school
Koka high school in Unzen UGGp sets “Glocal Course”; word of “Glocal” is a coined word combining “Global” into “Local”. The course is aimed for growth of students who have both global point of view and understanding their hometown, which is matched to those of geopark’s concept. A staff of Unzen UGGp has supported their local research since 2017. First and second grades of students are divided into 6 groups and have been researching on the basis of their subjects; research of natural environment of a small river, marketing research at local sightseeing spots, biodiversity thorough original specimen of local vegetables, disaster mitigation, analyses and improvement of explanation panels at geosites and so on. Parts of results of their researches are published at JpGU2019 and 2020, APGN International Symposium held in 2019 at Rinjani-Lombok UGGp, Indonesia and the 10th JGN Conference in Oita.
Significance and effect that participation in local activities brings high school students
Local understanding of high school students as to not only geology but also natural, cultural and historical fields has deepened markedly by carrying out researches and the seminar since 2012. If they realize significance of sustainable development of their hometown by participating in geopark activities, they will become local leaders who promote their hometown with sustainable manner. In order to promote their local research, the Council start to create JGN network for high school students by cooperating with some other UGGp in Japan.
It is necessary that younger generation realize values of geological, natural, cultural and historical heritages in their hometown in order to maintain local societies with sustainable manner. This poster introduces cases of geopark activities that local high school students (16 – 18 years old) are working.
Case 1: Holding “Unzen UGGp Research Presentation Seminar” for local high school students
The Research Presentation Seminar for local high school students has been held since 2012. In this seminar, research groups of high school students in the territory of Unzen UGGp carried out oral presentation about the results of their research as to the nature and earth scientific observations, agricultural procedures, marketing research for tourism and so on. These presentations were judged by several experts in the Council and awarded 3 prizes; First Prize, Second Prize and the Research Encouragement Award. The research groups obtained First and Second Prizes have opportunities visiting other geoparks in Japan so that their works will be developed more and more.
Case 2: Contest of an original design of Geopark shirt
It is common that members of a geopark’s office wear shirts with same design as a uniform to promote their geopark in Japan. In 2017, Unzen UGGp held for high school students the contest of an original design expressing features of our Geopark. 22 designs from three high schools presented were judged by local painters, high school teachers of art course and professional designers and decided First and Second Prizes. Visitors and local peoples can buy the original design shirt of First Prize at a museum shop in Mt. Unzen Disaster Memorial Hall (core facility of Unzen UGGp).
Case 3: Support of local research by Koka high school
Koka high school in Unzen UGGp sets “Glocal Course”; word of “Glocal” is a coined word combining “Global” into “Local”. The course is aimed for growth of students who have both global point of view and understanding their hometown, which is matched to those of geopark’s concept. A staff of Unzen UGGp has supported their local research since 2017. First and second grades of students are divided into 6 groups and have been researching on the basis of their subjects; research of natural environment of a small river, marketing research at local sightseeing spots, biodiversity thorough original specimen of local vegetables, disaster mitigation, analyses and improvement of explanation panels at geosites and so on. Parts of results of their researches are published at JpGU2019 and 2020, APGN International Symposium held in 2019 at Rinjani-Lombok UGGp, Indonesia and the 10th JGN Conference in Oita.
Significance and effect that participation in local activities brings high school students
Local understanding of high school students as to not only geology but also natural, cultural and historical fields has deepened markedly by carrying out researches and the seminar since 2012. If they realize significance of sustainable development of their hometown by participating in geopark activities, they will become local leaders who promote their hometown with sustainable manner. In order to promote their local research, the Council start to create JGN network for high school students by cooperating with some other UGGp in Japan.