Nurturing Okinawan High School and Junior High Students Who Will Carry the Future. Realizing an 'Inquiry Connected to Society' Program to Face Okinawa's Environmental and Regional Issues through Hands-on Experience in Collaboration with Environmental Groups [Loohcs Shijuku Okinawa]

Loohcs Shijuku Okinawa (Location: Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture) will conduct the 'Okinawa Fieldwork Inquiry Program' on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Miyagi Island (Uruma City), in collaboration with 'General Incorporated Association Manatee' and 'Itanji'. This program is an educational initiative that practices 'inquiry connected to society' by combining primary field experience and inquiry-based learning under the theme of Okinawa's environmental and regional issues, including the marine debris problem. How to Create Learning to Make University a Checkpoint At Loohcs Shijuku Okinawa, high school students with the desire to 'change Okinawa' have successfully passed university entrance exams through the comprehensive selection process. This is not the result of exam preparation, but the result of their sense of ownership over regional issues and words backed by actual experiences being highly evaluated. In fact, we believe that our achievement of a 100% acceptance rate to Keio University SFC and sending students to many top universities in the 2025 academic year is because we did not make passing the exam the goal, but instead worked together to build the students' desire to 'change Okinawa.' We have been wanting to realize learning that is more connected to society and accompanied by a real sense of realization for high school students in Okinawa beyond just our students. ■ Background of the Project In recent years, with the spread of the internet, anyone can easily obtain information about social issues. On the other hand, there is a decrease in opportunities to actually touch the field, as people feel they 'know enough' just by getting information. Furthermore, in comprehensive selection processes, amidst growing wariness of AI-generated application documents, more universities are emphasizing learning based on actual experiences and the inquiry process itself. That is why in this project, by actually visiting the field of Miyagi Island and coming into contact with the marine debris problem and real local issues, we aim for high school students to see these as their 'own matters' and generate questions that will lead to the future of Okinawa. ■ Program Features This program is designed by integrating the following three elements: - Primary Experience (Fieldwork) Experiencing the marine debris problem firsthand through beach cleaning and nature experiences on Miyagi Island, and thinking about local issues together with local people. - Thinking Method (Acquisition of the Inquiry Process) Guidance in inquiry-based thinking to transform issues into 'questions.' - Output (Creation of Deliverables) Presentations will be given to the General Incorporated Association Manatee at a later date, and feedback will be received. A key feature is that it does not end with just an experience, but involves verbalization and dissemination as 'inquiry connected to society.' ■ Implementation Details [Date and Time] Sunday, May 3, 2026, 8:00-19:00 - Beach cleaning at Miyagi Island (Primary experience of the marine debris problem) - Issue sharing by local stakeholders - Fieldwork themed on nature, culture, tourism, and environment - Verbalization and sharing of issues - Design of 'questions' - Discussion ■ Meeting Place Loohcs Shijuku Okinawa 1st Building (1-5-1-203 Makabi, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture) *1-minute walk from Yui Rail 'Omoromachi' Station *Moving to Miyagi Island by bus