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　　　　　　NPO CANVAS × Salesforce.org

Launching a STEM Education Project!
　
Phase 1: Collaboration Begins with the Sumida City Board of Education and Elementary Schools

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To Members of the Press

CANVAS, a Specified Nonprofit Corporation promoting creative expression activities for children
(Headquarters: Taito Ward, Tokyo; Chairperson: Nanako Ishido; hereinafter “CANVAS”) is launching a STEM education project in collaboration with Salesforce.org, the social impact arm of Salesforce.com, Inc.

Moving forward, with a focus on public education, CANVAS will collaborate with elementary schools, libraries, and local educational facilities to provide STEM education programs (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

[Press Release]
http://www.canvas.ws/pdf/press/canvas_press_20151203.pdf

◆―――What is “STEM Education”?――――――――――――――――――◆

STEM education is an integrated approach that combines traditional science and math education, with the goal of fostering children’s interest in science and technology,
promoting their understanding, and improving their scientific literacy, thereby nurturing individuals who will create new value in the international community in the future.

In the United States, STEM education is positioned as a key policy priority, and
it is being promoted through collaboration among industry, government, academia, and the public—including initiatives such as
a plan to train 100,000 STEM professionals and educators over the next 10 years.

In Japan, according to the “International Mathematics and Science Education Survey” conducted by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement,
the results show that despite Japanese students’ high academic performance,
very few students find science enjoyable; furthermore, a comparative
, the Japanese public’s interest in science and technology is said to be lower compared to that of two other countries (the United States and the
United Kingdom).

This project provides an educational program that allows children to enjoy and become familiar with various fields of science and technology
through creative and expressive activities, and creates opportunities for
more children to experience it.

◆―――Collaboration with Public Elementary Schools――――――――――――――――――◆

Currently, as the first phase of this initiative, we are holding monthly programming workshops in the computer club at a public elementary school in Sumida Ward, Tokyo.

In collaboration with teachers, we are carrying out this initiative with a view to introducing programming education into the curriculum starting next school year.
Using this first initiative as a model for collaborative lesson planning among schools, companies, and NPOs, we are also planning collaborations with other elementary and junior high schools, as well as public libraries and education-related facilities.
At the same time, by conducting training sessions and study groups for school teachers and staff at education-related facilities,
we will share various challenges faced in educational settings and explore solutions.
We will continue to provide support to ensure that programming education is conducted on an ongoing basis in various regions.

Furthermore, at Salesforce.com’s annual domestic conference, “World Tour Tokyo 2015,” to be held on December 3–4, 2015, Salesforce.org will collaborate with CANVAS to
at the “World Tour Tokyo 2015,” the annual domestic conference of Salesforce.com to be held on December 3–4, 2015, to promote STEM education to a wide range of generations, from children to adults.

◆―――Programming Education-Related Projects――――――――――――――――――◆

In addition, as part of pilot programs conducted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), we are also promoting initiatives specifically focused on programming education through collaborative projects with various companies. These include classes and club activities at elementary and junior high schools, as well as workshops held nationwide. We provide various opportunities for learning through programming, such as robot programming workshops and problem-identification and problem-solving workshops.
You can view our daily activities here.
https://www.facebook.com/programmingcanvas/

◆◇―――Inquiries Regarding This Matter――――――――――――――――――◇◆
●NPO CANVAS
6F Kase Building, 2-5-12 Kotobuki, Taito-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-6802-7984
E-mail: information@canvas.ws
Contact: Tsuchihashi

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