Musashino University: Junior High and University Collaboration in PBL Class – 193 Junior High 3rd Graders Practice 'Circular Garden Creation (Creating a Small Place for Life)' with 'Sustainability' as the Theme
Musashino University's Faculty of Engineering, Department of Sustainability, and Musashino University Junior High School have collaborated to launch a PBL (Problem Based Learning) class. 193 junior high 3rd graders will undertake a 'Circular Garden Creation' project with sustainability as its theme. This six-month project aims to deepen students' understanding of the environment and ecosystems, and to develop their problem-solving skills.
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Musashino University's Faculty of Engineering, Department of Sustainability (Koto-ku, Tokyo; Department Head: Ikumasa Misaka) and Musashino University Junior High School (Nishitokyo-shi, Tokyo; Principal: Yutaka Harada) will implement a PBL class* for 193 third-year junior high school students, titled 'Circular Garden Creation (Creating a Small Place for Life),' over a period of six months starting from April 2026.
In this class, Associate Professor Osamu Akashi of the department, along with multiple faculty members and students, will participate to transform a section of the junior high school's courtyard into a 'circular garden' where soil, plants, and living creatures interact and sustainably circulate. Junior high school students will collaborate with university faculty and students to deepen their understanding of the environment and ecosystems, and to develop their ability to identify and solve problems themselves.
Orientation Session
The first class was held on April 14 (Tuesday), where after an orientation by Associate Professor Akashi, students conducted observations at the actual site. The students focused on the condition of the soil and vegetation, and the presence of small creatures, beginning their considerations for future garden creation.
Courtyard Observation Session
In upcoming classes, students will be divided into four sub-themes: 'Field,' 'Circulation,' 'Place Making,' and 'Living Creatures,' and will proceed with their considerations from each perspective to create the 'Circular Garden (Small Place for Life)' over six months.
Furthermore, prior to the practical implementation, on April 21 (Tuesday), junior high school students visited Musashino University's Ariake Campus, where they toured the rooftop garden and biotope of Building 3, and participated in a workshop on climate change.
*PBL (Problem Based Learning / Project Based Learning) is a learning method where learners proactively discover problems, think of solutions, and learn through practice. The emphasis is on how to approach problems without a single correct answer, and what is learned in that process.
[Class Schedule]
This PBL class will be held every Tuesday for two consecutive periods until October 6, with Associate Professor Akashi and other faculty members from the Department of Sustainability giving special lectures on the following dates. In the latter half of the year, a separate program in collaboration with local companies is planned.
Date (Tuesday 5th, 6th periods)
Content
1
April 14 (Tuesday)
Explanation of project objectives, creation of observation maps and vision
2
April 21 (Tuesday)
Tour of Musashino University Ariake Campus rooftop garden, etc.
3
April 28 (Tuesday)
Group activities (Professor Akashi to participate online)
4
May 12 (Tuesday)
Sowing seeds, planting seedlings
5
June 16 (Tuesday)
Workshop to experience permaculture perspectives
6
October 6 (Tuesday)
Review, summary
*For media inquiries, please contact the Public Relations Department.
[About Musashino University]
Musashino University Ariake Campus
Founded in 1924 with the ideal of character education based on Buddhist principles, Musashino Women's College was established. It was renamed Musashino University in 2003. Since becoming co-educational in 2004, the university has promoted reforms and developed into a comprehensive university with 13 faculties, 21 departments, 14 graduate schools, and a distance learning division, with over 13,000 students. In 2019, it established the first Faculty of Data Science among private universities in Japan. In 2021, it established Japan's first Faculty of Entrepreneurship and launched 'Musashino INITIAL,' a university-wide common basic curriculum that mandates 'AI utilization' and 'SDGs.' In 2023, it established Japan's first Department of Sustainability. In 2024, celebrating its 100th anniversary, it established the world's first Faculty of Well-being. In 2026, it established the Faculty of International Data Science for Distance Learning, proposing a new form of learning for distance education. The university is advancing reforms to cultivate creative human resources for the future of 2050.
Musashino University HP: https://www.musashino-u.ac.jp/
[Related Links]
■ Musashino University Faculty of Engineering, Department of Sustainability (University HP): https://www.musashino-u.ac.jp/academics/faculty/engineering/sustainability_studies/
■ Musashino University Faculty of Engineering, Department of Sustainability (Special Site): https://esg.musashino-u.ac.jp/
■ Musashino University Junior High School and High School: https://www.musashino-u.ed.jp/
In this class, Associate Professor Osamu Akashi of the department, along with multiple faculty members and students, will participate to transform a section of the junior high school's courtyard into a 'circular garden' where soil, plants, and living creatures interact and sustainably circulate. Junior high school students will collaborate with university faculty and students to deepen their understanding of the environment and ecosystems, and to develop their ability to identify and solve problems themselves.
Orientation Session
The first class was held on April 14 (Tuesday), where after an orientation by Associate Professor Akashi, students conducted observations at the actual site. The students focused on the condition of the soil and vegetation, and the presence of small creatures, beginning their considerations for future garden creation.
Courtyard Observation Session
In upcoming classes, students will be divided into four sub-themes: 'Field,' 'Circulation,' 'Place Making,' and 'Living Creatures,' and will proceed with their considerations from each perspective to create the 'Circular Garden (Small Place for Life)' over six months.
Furthermore, prior to the practical implementation, on April 21 (Tuesday), junior high school students visited Musashino University's Ariake Campus, where they toured the rooftop garden and biotope of Building 3, and participated in a workshop on climate change.
*PBL (Problem Based Learning / Project Based Learning) is a learning method where learners proactively discover problems, think of solutions, and learn through practice. The emphasis is on how to approach problems without a single correct answer, and what is learned in that process.
[Class Schedule]
This PBL class will be held every Tuesday for two consecutive periods until October 6, with Associate Professor Akashi and other faculty members from the Department of Sustainability giving special lectures on the following dates. In the latter half of the year, a separate program in collaboration with local companies is planned.
Date (Tuesday 5th, 6th periods)
Content
1
April 14 (Tuesday)
Explanation of project objectives, creation of observation maps and vision
2
April 21 (Tuesday)
Tour of Musashino University Ariake Campus rooftop garden, etc.
3
April 28 (Tuesday)
Group activities (Professor Akashi to participate online)
4
May 12 (Tuesday)
Sowing seeds, planting seedlings
5
June 16 (Tuesday)
Workshop to experience permaculture perspectives
6
October 6 (Tuesday)
Review, summary
*For media inquiries, please contact the Public Relations Department.
[About Musashino University]
Musashino University Ariake Campus
Founded in 1924 with the ideal of character education based on Buddhist principles, Musashino Women's College was established. It was renamed Musashino University in 2003. Since becoming co-educational in 2004, the university has promoted reforms and developed into a comprehensive university with 13 faculties, 21 departments, 14 graduate schools, and a distance learning division, with over 13,000 students. In 2019, it established the first Faculty of Data Science among private universities in Japan. In 2021, it established Japan's first Faculty of Entrepreneurship and launched 'Musashino INITIAL,' a university-wide common basic curriculum that mandates 'AI utilization' and 'SDGs.' In 2023, it established Japan's first Department of Sustainability. In 2024, celebrating its 100th anniversary, it established the world's first Faculty of Well-being. In 2026, it established the Faculty of International Data Science for Distance Learning, proposing a new form of learning for distance education. The university is advancing reforms to cultivate creative human resources for the future of 2050.
Musashino University HP: https://www.musashino-u.ac.jp/
[Related Links]
■ Musashino University Faculty of Engineering, Department of Sustainability (University HP): https://www.musashino-u.ac.jp/academics/faculty/engineering/sustainability_studies/
■ Musashino University Faculty of Engineering, Department of Sustainability (Special Site): https://esg.musashino-u.ac.jp/
■ Musashino University Junior High School and High School: https://www.musashino-u.ed.jp/