Special class by Professor KURODA Yoji
Students from Kanagawa Prefectural Sagamihara High School visited Meiji University's Ikuta Campus on Thursday, October 31, and 30 first-year students experienced advanced research at the School of Science and Technology.
The high school is designated as a Super Science High School (SSH), and as part of efforts to raise students' career awareness from an early stage, the Department of Mechanical Engineering has come to offer a special class and laboratory experiences in cooperation with the School of Science and Technology.
In the first half, Professor KURODA Yoji of the Department of Mechanical Engineering gave a special class titled "The Future of Robots and AI." At the beginning, Professor KURODA explained field robotics, citing MINERVA, an ultra-small robot mounted on the asteroid explorer HAYABUSA, in which he was greatly involved in the development, and the Nishinoshima Island Rover Development Project, an unmanned remote survey on volcanic islands, in which he is currently conducting research.
Next, an explanation was given on the mechanism of autonomous security robots that sense people, and the use of AI in robot intelligence. Finally, Professor KURODA sent a message saying, "Even the latest AI is a combination of what we learn in high school math. Once you know what's inside, your perspective will change and it will be fun. Why don't we study together at Meiji University?" and concluded the class.
In the second half, two laboratories, the Autonomous Mobile Systems Laboratory (Professor KURODA Yoji) and the Fluid Engineering Laboratory (Professor SAKAKIBARA Jun), conducted laboratory experiences. It was an opportunity for high school students to get a firsthand experience of the university's academics through explanations and demonstrations by university teachers and students, and participation in experiments.
The School of Science and Technology runs programs that allow students to experience university learning, including the Ikuta Campus High School and University Collaboration Program, an extension course that all high school students can participate in. We will continue our efforts to convey to junior high and high school students the importance of advanced research and independent study, and to encourage them to think about their career choices and the significance of studying at universities.
Students who feel close to advanced research at the Fluid Engineering Laboratory (Professor SAKAKIBARA Jun)