Jumonji Gakuen Women's University and Imaginus (with support from Lupicia) to Host Summer Food Education Workshop 'Chilly♡Tea Magic Lab'

Jumonji Gakuen Women's University (Niiza City, Saitama Prefecture; President: Kazutoshi Adachi) will host a special summer food education program for elementary school children at the science experience facility 'Imaginus,' with cooperation from Lupicia Co., Ltd. Leveraging specialized academic knowledge, the program offers fun, science-based learning experiences centered on everyday 'food.'

As part of its commitment to community collaboration and food-based education, the university has planned an industry-academia collaborative workshop titled 'Chilly♡Tea Magic Lab – Sparkling Sweets and the Wonders of Tea.'

The program will use tea—particularly iced tea, ideal for summer—as an educational tool to explore changes in color, aroma, and temperature from a 'food science' perspective. Students will guide children through these concepts in an accessible, engaging way. To ensure accessibility for younger children, decaffeinated and non-caffeinated teas will also be used.

Learning Highlights Proposed by Jumonji Gakuen Women's University

- Sensory Food Science Experience

To answer questions like 'Why do tea color and aroma change with water temperature and steeping time?', children will observe differences in color, scent, and taste through hands-on activities—'seeing, smelling, and tasting'—designed for intuitive understanding even by younger participants.

- Safe, Student-Supported Learning Experience

University students will serve as staff, supporting children at each table during experiments and dessert-making. For students, this is a chance to apply their academic knowledge in practice; for children, it's an opportunity to deepen their interest in science through interaction with university students.

- University Support for Summer 'Free Research' Projects

An exclusive 'My Tea Research Notebook (worksheet)' will be distributed. Participants can record their observations and reflections on-site, which can later be used for review or extended learning at home.

Workshop Highlights (Excerpts)

- Tea Magic Experience: Observe how color and aroma change with steeping time, and when adding ice, lemon, or milk.

- Sparkling Sweets Experience: Assemble 'sparkling mini parfaits' (no heat required) and observe 'magic jelly' that changes color when lemon syrup is added.

Event Overview

- Title: Chilly♡Tea Magic Lab – Sparkling Sweets and the Wonders of Tea

- Date & Time: July 30, 2026 (Thu) ① 10:00–11:30 / ② 13:30–15:00

- Venue: Meeting Room 3, 1F, Imaginus – Suginami Science Lab for Creating the Future (2-14-13 Koenji-kita, Suginami-ku, Tokyo / 5-minute walk from JR Koenji Station North Exit)

- Instructors: Students from Prof. Kanae Nakao's Seminar, Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Human Life Studies, Jumonji Gakuen Women's University

- Target Audience: Children aged 4 and up (preschoolers welcome). Parents must accompany children in 2nd grade and below.

- Participation Fee: 2,000 JPY (includes materials and tax)

About the Department of Food and Nutrition, Jumonji Gakuen Women's University

The department aims to cultivate registered dietitians equipped with advanced expertise and rich humanity. The Applied Nutrition Laboratory (led by Associate Professor Kanae Nakao), which leads this workshop, actively engages in off-campus activities in collaboration with local communities and businesses. Through planning and operating food education events and developing recipes, students enhance their practical skills and communication abilities as future professionals.

About Imaginus

Opened in October 2023 on the former site of Suginami No. 4 Elementary School, Imaginus is a science experience facility where visitors can learn science through fun. It hosts over 20 types of events monthly, including craft workshops for 4-year-olds, immersive science experiments, science shows performed by professional actors, and workshops for adults. Imaginus aims to transform 'Why?' into 'Aha!' by promoting the 'value of science' and creating a space where everyone can engage with science playfully.

About Lupicia Co., Ltd.

A global tea specialist offering over 400 varieties of tea annually, including carefully selected black tea, oolong tea, and Japanese green tea from around the world, as well as original blended teas, flavored teas, and herbal teas. Lupicia communicates the diverse charm of tea without being bound by tea categories or fixed styles.