Activities on Environmental Education

Exhibition Hall

The exhibition hall offers opportunities for people to enjoy studying about environmental issues to lead to a better understanding and produce a new sense of values linked to environmentally sound actions. 'Hands-on' displays that can be touched and moved manually are exhibited in three zones under the concept, 'Hints to think and act'.

Critical situations that the earth is facing are introduced to visitors under the theme, 'Current global environment' in the introductory zone. The beautiful and dynamic appearance of the earth as seen from the space, the desertification that is being seen on a global scale, and the state of the ozone hole are shown on the 3-meter wide 'Gia vision' screen of the hemisphere which is created under an image of the earth.

In the next zone, the display is arranged to encourage visitors to become more aware of the relationship between us and environmental issues through such familiar motifs as water and waste under the theme, 'The earth seen through our own lifestyles'. Stories with environmental themes are shown on across multiple screens (nine screens) to communicate with visitors in the 'Media workshop'.

In the final zone, information on the water and atmospheric environment in Saitama prefecture is displayed under the theme, 'We save the earth'. This encourages visitors to act positively concerning environmental issues that are spread out from a local scale to a global scale as 1/800 of the global citizens (population of Saitama prefecture [approx. 7 million] ÷global population [approx.6billion]). 

Provision of Opportunities and Space for Environmental Education

Various environmental education programs such as 'Sai-no-Kuni University ' are carried out to provide opportunities and space to citizens of the prefecture for environmental education. Here, 'Sai-no-Kuni' is the nickname of Saitama prefecture. 'Sai' literally means colorful or bright, 'Kuni' literally means country or land, and 'no' is a conjunction.

Sai-no-Kuni University

Sai-no-Kuni University is opened to bring up experts with wide ranging and specialistic knowledge of environmental science. Courses can be classified into two categories; namely basic course, and instructor training course; and they are provided to nurture community leaders by going through each process.

Extension courses

Extension courses on environmental science covering topical issues concerning the environment are held for the public. And for everyone from children to adults can enjoy while studying ecology field experience classes, experimentation classes for prefectural citizens and environmental information classes are held.

Network of local environment observatories

Science clubs at junior and senior high schools, individuals and environmental NGOs in the prefecture are defined as local environment observation posts and are networked to increase interest in environmental issues through research into the local environment.

We provide a standardized environment research program to each observation post to determine the actual environmental status of each area in the prefecture. The research results are shown on the center's homepage, etc.

Research facility open days

Research facilities are open to the public on specific days such as the prefectural citizens' day.

People within the prefecture are encouraged to learn more about environmental issues while the research institute endeavors to be as open as possible to the public by opening its laboratory and introducing its research activities.

Supporting environmental education

An exchange section for the exchange of information and an environmental information plaza where information is provided (video booth, information and library sections) are prepared to support the prefecture's populace who carry out environmental education and conservation activities, while books and videos are available for rental as well.

Also, the retention of environmental education staff is supported, as is the development and introduction of environmental education programs for community halls and various clubs striving to carry out environmental education.