IHI Classes in Sendai and Sakai Educate Children about Bridges
IHI’s Tohoku Branch and IHI Infrastructure Systems held classes at two schools in early 2024 to teach about bridges. On February 15, they conducted two classes for 43 third-year students at Miyagi Gakuin Junior High School in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture. There were four classes on March 7 and 8 for 142 second-year students at Hikisho Junior High School in Sakai, Osaka.
The classes started with lectures about bridge types and histories, as well as the structures of girder and cable-stayed bridges. Students then used models to experiment with bridge roles and structures. They learned that construction techniques incorporate the principles of force distribution, which they cover in science during their final year of junior high school. This brought home the real-world applicability of their studies. IHI, IHI Infrastructure Systems, and Ochanomizu University’s Science & Education Center developed the curriculum, with Project Associate Professor Kazuya Yoshimura instructing.
In making models for cable-stayed bridges, students found it challenging to sufficiently tension girder suspensions. They went through trial and error to achieve successful outcomes.
The classes in Sendai presented IHI Group businesses related to that city, which is home to IHI’s Tohoku Branch. Also introduced were IHI’s key Tohoku region sites (the Soma Works and the Soma IHI Green Energy Center) and activities in the Group’s four business domains.
The headquarters and works of IHI Infrastructure Systems are in Sakai. Young engineers from this subsidiary also attended the classes in Sakai and discussed their work. They explained that the IHI Group is building social infrastructure across Japan and overseas by constructing bridges and contributing to communities by swiftly restoring facilities damaged by typhoons and torrential rain.
The students asked all sorts of questions, including about bridge construction periods, costs, and structure choices. They deepened their understanding and interest in bridges by recognizing the vital roles that they play social infrastructure. One student came away from the class wanting to learn more about the history of bridges, having previously given them little thought. Another found the class a valuable opportunity to build models and experiment with classmates.
The IHI Group will continue contributing to youth development by deepening ties with communities through such educational initiatives, encouraging young people to become more interested in the work and roles of civil engineering in supporting social infrastructure.