What is STEAMANITIES?
GEE STEAMANITIES (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Humanities) was inspired by two Canyon Crest Academy students in San Diego who participated in Humanities competition at MIT in 2017. They also belonged to the Envision Conservatory for the Humanities. These two students saw how the Arts and Sciences have been ripped away from each other.
Today, college preparatory has focused on test taking and rote learning at the expense of educating the whole person. These two students are now in university, studying Science curriculum. They realized there was a distinct lack of research opportunities for high school students interested in the Humanities.
The Steamanities serves to bring to these disciplines back together. The STEM will show the students how, the Arts and Humanities will teach them why. Steamanities incorporates communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. These are all skills or, that is techniques that utilize, through project based learning, to enable the student to see education not just as a product, but a purpose as well. The 21st century demands creative scientists who can communicate, artists and historians who can apply and build.
About STEAMANITIES - Japan
STEAMANITIES Japan is a six-month long hand-on project. Students will work in team and will apply their knowledge in STEAM to solve a humanity issue through interdisciplinary and collaborative projects and university level research from January to May.
In June, students will participate in a 10-day educational field trip to Japan. This life changing journey will let students to expose to the latest research and technology and the traditional arts and crafts in Japan. Students will have a unique opportunity to meet a hibakusha, a survivor of the 1945 atomic bombings of Hiroshima. Students will also participate in a service-learning project which will impact the local families in a small village near Hiroshima.
In July, students will present their final project and participate in an award ceremony.
Overview
Day 1: Los Angeles to Tokyo
Arrive at Los Angeles Airport. Check in. Fly to Tokyo.
Day 2: Arrive in Tokyo
Welcome to Japan! Arrive in the bustling, neon city of Tokyo.
Meet your Tour Manager and transfer to your hotel for an arrival briefing and dinner.
Day 3: Tokyo - Experience the Modern Japan
Begin at the Imperial Palace Plaza, the main residence of the Emperor of Japan to learn about Japanese history. Explore one of the oldest Buddhist temple, Asakusa Kannon Temple, where you will learn about Japan religions - Shinto and Buddhism.
Meet ASIMO, the world’s most advanced humanoid robot at the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation Museum. At Toyota Mega Web Park, learn about the eco-motoring vehicles and the future design.
Experience the Japanese Pop culture at Harajuku. Compare Japan’s pop culture with the youth in the U.S.
Evening, enjoy a welcome dinner along with a welcome presentation, Daily discussion.
Day 4: To Tsukuba Science Park - STEM Exploration
Tsukuba Science Park is a science city with a focus on research and technology development. Meet the expert at Cyberdyne Studio where you will learn how future use of robot technology aids industry, in particular medical rehabilitation. Visit one of the research institutes to discover the latest discovery in Japan.
Day 5: Tokyo - Educational Exchange
Full day cultural and educational exchange with the local Japanese students at one of the high schools where you will expose to Japanese cultural activities such as the traditional tea ceremony, kendo, or Taiko drum and their current STE(A)M development.
Day 6: To Fujinomiya - Biodiversity and Conversation of Mt. Fuji
Journey to Fujinomiya for a Mt. Fuji eco-exploration. Explore the interesting natural and geological features of Mt. Fuji, a UNESCO “cultural” world heritage site.
Enjoy a hiking of Mt. Fuji. Following the waterfall, visit a local trout farm with a Micro Hydropower site to see how to use the water from Mt. Fuji as renewable energy to have a sustainable society. You will discuss about sustainable development with the peers.
Day 7: To Hiroshima - Understanding the Traditional Arts and Crafts
Understand the cultural impact of Mt. Fuji at Mt. Fuji World Heritage Centre. Visit Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisha Shrine, a historical shrine with over 1300 years. Take an opportunity to try Japanese traditional costume.
Enjoy handmade organic soba with locally grown vegetable tempura in the village.
Evening Continue to Hiroshima by the bullet train. Hiroshima, a city famous throughout the world as the site of the first nuclear attack.
Day 8: Hiroshima - A Survivor's Story
Explore the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, which dedicated to promoting peace. Built to commemorate the destructive atomic bomb dropped over Hiroshima in 1945. You will have a unique opportunity to meet one of the survivors and listen to the testimony.
Afternoon Enjoy a relaxing scenic journey to Miyajima (shrine island). Board a ferry and sail towards the natural haven of the island, stopping to see playful monkeys and wild deer surround the renowned Itsukushima Shrine.
Day 9: Hiroshima - Immersion and Service Learning Project
Travel to a local village and immerse yourself into a Japanese family life. You will work on a case study of an aging village today. Make a special type of sushi with the local ladies and enjoy a family style meal together at a Japanese home. Pound mochi, sticky rice cake. Learn Kendama, a Japanese skilled toy from a master.
Evening Farewell dinner followed by a final presentation.
Day 10: To Los Angeles
Take the bullet train to Osaka Kansai Airport. Fly to Los Angeles.
