Okayama University's Technical Division Exhibits at 'Sunday Children's University in Okayama University of Science'

July 16, 2026 (Reiwa 8) Okayama University, National University Corporation

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/

◆ Overview

The Technical Division, part of the Technical Management Headquarters of Okayama University, National University Corporation (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City; President: Hiyoshi Yasutomo), exhibited at the 'Sunday Children's University in Okayama University of Science' on May 31, 2026, an event hosted by Consortium Okayama.

This year marked the 14th iteration of the event, attracting 1,075 participants (573 children and 502 adults). Fifteen universities from Okayama Prefecture gathered to showcase their educational and research activities through various booths featuring experiments, crafts, nutrition education, language learning, and medical experiences, all designed to allow citizens to learn through doing, touching, playing, and enjoying. The event was widely enjoyed by attendees.

The Technical Division presented two themed workshops: 'Sparkling Kaleidoscopes from PET Bottles' in the morning and 'Building Regular Polyhedra with Straws' in the afternoon. A total of 109 children participated across both sessions.

The morning session, 'Sparkling Kaleidoscopes from PET Bottles,' is a perennial favorite. This year, a line formed early, prompting the sudden distribution of numbered tickets, which were quickly exhausted. To ensure safety, 1–2 staff members were assigned for every 2–3 participants. The division used tools manufactured with workshop machinery and 3D printers, carefully designed so even young children could successfully complete their projects. Children excitedly shared their creations with siblings, showed them to parents, and cheered at their original kaleidoscopes.

The afternoon session, 'Building Regular Polyhedra with Straws,' was slightly challenging for younger children, but with cooperation from parents and technical staff, participants patiently constructed regular octahedrons and tetrahedrons. Threading rubber bands through slotted straws proved difficult, and successful completions were met with applause, as families enjoyed the challenge together.

Regarding the event, Professor Norito Sato, Vice President (Academic Affairs), Vice Chair (Research and Industry-Academia Co-creation), Senior URA, and Head of the Technical Division, commented: 'We are deeply grateful to all involved for allowing us to participate again this year. Our technical staff are highly skilled professionals who also possess the ability to communicate science like science writers. We hope to continue delivering the excitement and wonder of science to the public.'

The Technical Division's community contribution and science outreach activities are co-hosted with the university's Faculty of Engineering and are conducted not only on campus but in various external settings. They actively implement programs designed to allow the next generation—children—to enjoyably engage with science and feel it is accessible. We invite continued support and attention for Okayama University—a research university that is open, regionally central, and distinctive—and the activities of its Technical Division.

This information was released by Okayama University on July 9, 2026.

Photo: Making sparkling kaleidoscopes

Photo: Building polyhedra

Photo: Group photo of staff

◆ References · Okayama University Technical Division

https://techall.okayama-u.ac.jp/

· Consortium Okayama

https://www.consortium-okayama.jp/

◆ Additional Information

· [Okayama University] Technical Division Exhibits at 'Sunday Children's University in Life Park Kurashiki'

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003164.000072793.html

· [Okayama University] Technical Division Exhibits at Consortium Okayama's 'Reiwa 6 Sunday Children's University at Kyoyama Festival'—Delivering Excitement to Local Children

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000002320.000072793.html

· [Okayama University] Okayama University Technical Division Exhibits at Consortium Okayama's 'Sunday Children's University at Kyoyama Festival'

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001513.000072793.html

· [Okayama University] Okayama University Faculty of Engineering's Creative Engineering Center Technical Support Division Exhibits at 'Sunday Children's University at Kyoyama Festival'

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000724.000072793.html

Okayama University Tsushima Campus (Kita-ku, Okayama City)

◆ Inquiries Okayama University Technical Division Community Contribution Working Group

3-1-1 Tsushima-Naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8530, Okayama University Tsushima Campus Email: tech-demae@okayama-u.ac.jp (Replace ◎ with @)

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/news/news_id15470.html

<For pharmaceutical and medical device companies regarding collaboration with Okayama University Hospital> New Medical Research and Development Center, Okayama University Hospital 2-5-1 Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8558 Please inquire via the URL below for relevant matters http://shin-iryo.hospital.okayama-u.ac.jp/ph_company/

<For medical professionals and researchers regarding collaboration with Okayama University Hospital> Research Promotion Office, Industry-Government-Academia Collaboration Promotion Section, Okayama University Hospital 2-5-1 Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8558 TEL: 086-235-7983 Email: ouh-csnw@adm.okayama-u.ac.jp (Replace ◎ with @) http://shin-iryo.hospital.okayama-u.ac.jp/medical/

<For inquiries regarding industry-government-academia collaboration at Okayama University> Industry-Government-Academia Collaboration Headquarters, Research and Innovation Co-creation Organization, Okayama University 1-1-1 Tsushima-Naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8530, Okayama University Tsushima Campus, 1st floor of Main Building TEL: 086-251-8463 Email: sangaku@okayama-u.ac.jp (Replace ◎ with @) https://www.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/

<For inquiries regarding shared research equipment (core facilities) at Okayama University> Task Force for Promoting Strengthening of Shared Research Equipment Systems (Team Kyoyu) 1-1-1 Tsushima-Naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8530, Okayama University Tsushima Campus, 1st floor of Main Building TEL: 086-251-8705 FAX: 086-251-7114 Email: cfp@okayama-u.ac.jp (Replace ◎ with @) https://corefacility-potal.fsp.okayama-u.ac.jp/

<For inquiries regarding startups and ventures at Okayama University> Startup and Venture Creation Headquarters, Research and Innovation Co-creation Organization, Okayama University 1-1-1 Tsushima-Naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8530, Okayama University Tsushima Campus, 1st floor of Main Building Email: start-up1