From June 2025 to January 2026, the Global Learning Center collaborated with Miyagi Prefecture Sendai Daisan High School (Sanko) in an English presentation support project for high school science students.
79 students from Sanko's Science and Mathematics course, organized into 19 research groups, participated in this eight-month program. Approximately 20 GLC supporters, international students in the FGL STEM degree programs, provided mentorship throughout the project, with a few GLC instructors.
The program consisted of eight sessions, combining in-person meetings at Sanko and online sessions via Zoom. Students received continuous feedback on their English presentations, covering diverse research topics including chemistry, mathematics, physics, environmental science, biology, and local studies. The project aimed to help students improve their English language skills, especially impromptu speaking, enhance their presentation abilities, and develop international awareness through interaction with university students.
A major milestone was the Innovation Festa in November, where students showcased their research to a wider audience from different high schools and organizations. Following this success, the project shifted focus toward preparing students for an international academic exchange at a high school in Taiwan in December. Through dedicated rehearsal sessions in December, GLC supporters helped students refine their presentations specifically for the Taiwan audience, ensuring they could effectively communicate their research findings in an international academic setting.
The Taiwan exchange trip provided students with their first opportunity to present their research to an international audience, putting into practice all the skills they had developed over the eight months. Throughout the program, high school students gained confidence in presenting their research in English and experienced a meaningful cross-cultural academic exchange.
This collaboration demonstrates Tohoku University's commitment to supporting local education and fostering international awareness among young students in the Miyagi community.