(Dean's log) Lecture series for Junior and Senior High Schools: Shibuya Kyoiku Gakuen Shibuya Junior and Senior High School

On 27 November 2024, approximately 750 third-year junior high school, first-, and second-high school students attended the lecture held at the Meiji Jingu Kaikan Hall.

Dean Kato's friendly personality and humorous way of speaking created a relaxed atmosphere, with laughter constantly filling the room. We received comments on his lecture, including: "I learned the most from this lecture of any I've listened to so far. In the Faculty of Engineering, there are more diverse fields of research than you would think, and I have found that faculty members and students at the University of Tokyo have a strong passion for contributing to society". Another comment was: "I thought that the disadvantage of studying at the University of Tokyo was that I would not be able to choose a field of study until my third year, but UTokyo is a university where you can seek your own path soon after entering". The lecture helped students resolve their concerns and doubts about their future career paths.

During the Q&A session, there were pointed questions, including: "Why do manganese nodules accumulate on the surface instead of sinking to the seafloor?" It was a special day that increased the students' interest in engineering as well as their desire to make a positive difference to society.

Midori Aoki (Metaverse School of Engineering)