On-site Exercise: "The 1st Space Mission High-School - A Space Mission You Plan"

The 1st Space Mission High-School (nicknamed "Kimission") was held from March 28 to 31, 2003, at Sagamihara Campus. A total of 20 high-school students (16 male and 4 female) interested in space joined the school. The school was organized so that participants can experience all the research activities usually performed by researchers, not just the usual pre-arranged courses such as facility tours or conducting an experiment. The purpose of the school is for students to take the initiative, "to think and to create on their own", and, through the process, learn to approach science practically. After organizing 5 teams of 4 members, each team first set up its research theme and objective. Then, each team elaborated its original mission through intensive literature searches, calculations and team discussions. On the last day, they presented the outcome of their research. As the class was limited to only four days, we were suprised by the students' splendid progress. All of the organizing staff were happy to see their bright faces during their presentations on the final day and feel their sense of accomplishment.

The school was the first such attempt, and was planned and implemented with much trial and error. It was a considerable achievement in the end. Our only regret is that one-third of the almost 30 organizing staff were undergraduate or graduate students from outside ISAS. ISAS, with more than 200 faculty and graduate members, was not so well represented. With the further understanding and cooperation of ISAS staff, we could develop the content of the school. We, the originators of the school, expect that this "think and create on their own" school will last with the support of ISAS staff as a program of ISAS, which is an educational entity as well as research and development organization.

Finally, we would like to express our thanks to the many people and organizations who helped us:
Mr. Koichiro Koyama who gave us much support from planning phase;
Mr. Masayuki Hashimoto, Mr. Hajime Yano and Mr. Hajime Inoue who gave up their precious time to deliver lectures;
Ms. Yajima and Ms. Ishikawa who acted as receptionists and provided great administrative support;
Mr. Akira Miura, PLAIN Center, who helped us set up PCs for the school; and,
the staff of the Office of External Relations, Administration Department, Office of Project Coordination, General Affairs Section (Planning and Public Outreach Group) who supported us in many ways.

The school was sponsored by:
Society for Promotion of Space Science
ISAS-COOP (Seikyo)
Shinko Shuppansha Keirinkan Co., Ltd

August 2, 2003