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Feature: Visit to Nadahama Science Square

There is a space alongside Kobe Steel's Kobe Works and Shinko Kobe Power Station in Kobe's Nada ward. It is filled with the sound of children's voices as they discover the unknown. At a biotope there, children can come into contact with many types of life forms. The aim is to bring children into contact with science and nature while having fun, to encourage them to think for themselves and get involved in science.

This place is Nadahama Science Square, a community park created by the Kobe Steel Group to contribute to the local community. Welcome to a world of scientific fun for both children and adults!

Certified as one of "100 Corporate Greenspaces Helping to Preserve Biodiversity"
Total visitors: Approx. 388,000 (as of the end of fiscal 2010)

Nadahama Science Square
Guide to Nadahama Science Square
Opening hours: 9:30-16:30 (no entry after 16:00)
Closed: Mondays (following weekday if Monday is a national holiday), year-end and New Year period, and in the event of weather alerts
Admission: Free
Link to Japanese site : http://www.kobelco.co.jp/nadahama/science/index.html

CONCEPT

An exchange facility created to help improve the local community

The Nadahama area of Kobe, located in the city's Nada ward, looks out over the Port of Kobe. We have continued to work in partnership with the local area ever since Kobe Steel built its Kobe Works here in 1959. We commenced operations at Shinko Kobe Power Station on the premises of the Kobe Works in 2002. That marked the start of the largest wholesale power supply business in Japan. Nadahama is one of the main hometowns of the Kobe Steel Group.

Nadahama Science Square is a community exchange facility that opened its doors in April 2004. Having grown up hand in hand with the local area, the aim of this facility is to send a message to future generations.

A science park linked together by four themes: ironmaking, power generation, energy, and the environment

The concept behind Nadahama Science Square is for visitors to experience the joys and wonders of science and technology and develop a sense of curiosity through fun activities based on the themes of Ironmaking, Power Generation, Energy, and the Environment. We asked members of the local community to come up with a name that they would like the facility to be called and decided upon Nadahama Science Square based on the image of a space linked together by the four themes. It is popular with elementary school students in the upper grades, but also fun for visitors of all ages.

Nadahama Science Square

A place where visitors take center stage, by touching, feeling and understanding

Children who visit Nadahama Science Square don't just look at the exhibits. They experience them with all five of their senses. Visitors come face to face with new discoveries and are inspired by the joys of science, awakening a desire to learn more. The process of understanding that begins with such experiences flows through different exhibits. Outside the facility is a biotope that recreates the ecosystem of the Rokko Mountains, creating a genuine living experience.

Visitors take center stage and are inspired by experiences that would simply be impossible in a school setting. Nadahama Science Square is packed with learning that children create for themselves.

Nadahama Science Square

Greetings from Kobelco Man!

Kobelco Man is the main character at Nadahama Science Square. His real name is Tsuyoshi Hagane, a pun in Japanese that also means "strong steel." As part of the exhibits, he explains how iron is made and how electricity is generated, all in his local Kobe accent. Members of Kobelco Man's family also get involved in the exhibits. You will have to come and see for yourself to find out where they crop up!

Kobelco Man

EXHIBITION

Experience the joys of science with your body and mind!

Masako Taniguchi

We asked Chief Secretary Masako Taniguchi (MT), who has been involved in the running of Nadahama Science Square ever since it first opened, to give us a guided tour.

MT: "Nadahama Science Square features around 30 exhibits, all of which have been packed full of knowledge by staff members, so that visitors can get to know more about ironmaking, power generation, energy and the environment while enjoying themselves.

The 'Generator Propeller' exhibit for example gets children to turn a handle to generate power, which then lifts a propeller up into the air. The 'Lift One Ton' exhibit meanwhile enables children to feel the weight of a one-ton block of steel by themselves. Our exhibits make learning about science lots of fun!"


Nadahama Science Square
Nadahama Science Square

Memorial wall made from part of a hot-blast stove
This memorial wall was made from part of a hot-blast stove at Kobe Works' No. 1 Blast Furnace, which was dismantled when the power station was built. It is intended to convey a sense of the history of Kobe Steel.
Memorial wall

Learn about how environmental issues affect you, in a convenience store now open for business!

There is also an area that looks like a convenience store isn't there?

MT: "We call that the Eco-Convenience Store. There are various different products on the shelves, all of which have barcodes on them. When you scan any barcode at the checkout, it tells you environmental information about the relevant product. We hope this will get young children interested in ecology, as they play at shopping. We also have some picture books in which Kobelco Man explains environmental issues."

It's great to see so many different exhibits and new ways of providing information!"

convenience store

Feel what it's like to be steel or electricity in our exciting simulator!

MT: "How about this for a new way of providing information? Our simulator recreates the steelmaking process at the Kobe Works, or the power generation process at Shinko Kobe Power Station, and lets you experience the raw materials at a microscopic level. The dynamic video on the big screen and the movements of the simulator create a virtual experience, capturing the process of turning raw materials into iron or electricity."

That was definitely an exciting experience! It was fascinating to see what it's like to be steel or electricity!

Feel what it's like to be steel or electricity in our exciting simulator!

BIOTOPE

The perfect place to learn about preserving biodiversity

Outside the facility is an open space that looks out over the sea, surrounded by natural greenery and complete with a stream flowing into a pond. This is Nadahama Science Square's famous Biotope.

MT: "The word 'biotope' actually means 'a place inhabited by living organisms.' We created our 280-square-meter Biotope as an ideal habitat for a wide range of living things. Various different creatures live together inside the Biotope, from microorganisms to fish, insects and wild birds. We also use it to help children learn about the environment, which is one of our themes."

The perfect place to learn about preserving biodiversity

The perfect place to learn about preserving biodiversity

Recreating the downstream ecosystem of the Rokko Mountains, complete with rare species

Apparently you have some rare species?

MT: "In an effort to recreate the environment from downstream areas of the Rokko Mountains, we have successfully introduced a number of rare species, including the Golden Venus Chub (freshwater fish) and Yellow Bladderwort (floating plant), as well as more common creatures that live in watery surroundings. We also have breeding populations of species such as the Japanese Rice Fish, Weather Loach, and Japanese Brown Frog.

We get assistance from local NPOs to help us maintain the necessary habitat. The creatures that inhabit the Biotope are treasures for everyone to share."

Bringing everyone closer to nature, old and young, and sowing the seeds of eco-awareness

Nadahama Science Square also hosts around 20 Nature Classrooms every year, with the aim of encouraging local children to take good care of the environment and nature. Roughly 1,200 people take part each year, from local elementary school students to middle-aged and elderly people. In recognition of such activities, in 2008 we won the 17th Global Environment Award Grand Prize. In 2010, we were also certified as one of "100 Corporate Greenspaces Helping to Preserve Biodiversity."

MT: "Seeing so many creatures living in the Biotope, in spite of the tidal conditions and cold temperatures on the seafront, really makes you appreciate the power of nature! I hope more and more people will come to Nadahama Science Square so that they too can be inspired by the wonders of science and nature."

Chief Secretary Masako Taniguchi brings her guided tour to a close with a friendly smile.

The perfect place to learn about preserving biodiversity

Masako Taniguchi

Working with schools to promote Nadahama Science Square as an outdoor classroom
During the second and third terms of the school year, Nadahama Science Square becomes an outdoor classroom for elementary schools every day of the week. We hope that our facilities will continue to play a part in science and environmental education and are keen to step up educational partnerships with schools in the future.
Yoshio Takayama
Yoshio Takayama
Manager
Nadahama Science Square