Learning that connects science and careers

— A science × career education workshop at Kanagawa Prefectural Hiratsuka Technical High School —

On November 9, 2025, we held a science × career education workshop at Kanagawa Prefectural Hiratsuka Technical High School. The event was organized by Smart Niche Oendan, with NPO Curascopium participating as co-host and the cooperation of the Kanagawa Prefectural Board of Education.

About 300 high school students and parents took part, making it a large-scale educational program.

From scientific inquiry to future choices

The workshop combined lectures and talks that brought together scientific inquiry — starting with astronomy — and career education.

Rather than leaving science as "knowledge to be learned," the program was designed as an opportunity to think about how it connects to society and shapes future paths and ways of working.

Alongside topics from astronomy as a specialty, the talks touched on living and doing research abroad and on the perspectives cultivated in different cultures and environments, sharing a multifaceted view of choosing a path and building a career.

Students and parents thinking about careers together

Because parents took part alongside the students, the workshop also worked as a starting point for families to discuss careers at home.

It became a time for sharing, across generations, both an interest in science and questions such as "what ways of learning are there?" and "what paths could I take?"

Even with roughly 300 participants, career topics rooted in science drew strong interest, making for a highly effective educational program.

What this means for Curascopium

Curascopium has so far focused on astronomy education and outreach for diverse audiences, including visually impaired people. This workshop became an important demonstration that such activities can also connect with school education and career education.

Spanning science education, outreach, and career education, and delivered to a broad audience, the event showcased the breadth and applicability of Curascopium's work.

Looking ahead

Curascopium will continue to broaden its points of contact with schools and society, with scientific inquiry at its core.

We will keep exploring educational activities unbound by field or format, delivering material that helps each person consider and choose their own future.