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Environment

Environmental Education

Environmental Education

The Benesse Corporation provides opportunities to learn about nature and the environment tailored to children's developmental stages through products, services, events, and more.

Examples of Environmental Education Through Teaching Materials

Preschool: June Edition of Kodomo Challenge Jump: Touch-me-not Growing Set

This is a kit to cultivate a touch-me-not plant from the seeds.
Through cultivating a touch-me-not plant, children learn about appropriate watering and other conditions required to grow plants. A sense of affection and a desire to care for what they have grown themselves is also encouraged. In addition to Edutoys, we also developed a movie to get children interested in cultivating the plants, as well as picture books to inspire interest in plants other than touch-me-nots.

エデュトイ「きみだけの おじぎそう」
EduToy: My Own Touch-Me-Not
「かんがえてはっけんえほん」6月号より
From the June Edition of Kangaete Hakken Ehon ("Think and Discover Picture Book")

Preschool: April Edition of Kodomo Challenge Step: Looking at Roly Polies!

Part of the Organism Observation Program, which goes from April to September. A sense of curiosity and an inquisitive mind are developed through observing nearby living creatures from three viewpoints: shape, food, and special abilities.
The theme for April was roly polies. The story developed in the video materials and picture book is exciting to children.

「ふしぎはっけんえほん」4月号より
From the April Edition of Fushigi Hakken Ehon ("Strange Discoveries Picture Book")
「ふしぎはっけんシアター」4月号より
From the April Edition of Fushigi Hakken Shiata ("Strange Discoveries Theatre")

Preschool: Shimajiro:A world of wow! "Shimajiro's environmental animation"

This is a four-song Shimajiro animation that young children can enjoy watching and singing, and that helps them to develop a feeling to care for the Earth. The children learn that many living creatures live together happily on the Earth, and that the feelings of 'cuteness' and 'love' towards the animals in the film will lead to a desire to 'take good care' of them in the future and inspire action. In addition, as an environmental education song, by including a few scenes of environmental problems in the video, it is not only fun, but also contains the message that there are many environmental problems happening in the world.

Shimajiro faces a dolphin in the sea.
The image is divided into four parts, each with a Shimajiro, two birds, a polar bear, a dolphin, and a monkey

From 'The Big, Blue Home

【'Shimajiro:A world of WOW' won the Pre-School Grand Prize at the 28th Asian Television Awards for its "Biodiversity" episode】

"Shimajiro and the Trophy" with the background of "28th Asian Television Awards."
Shimajiro and friends raising their hands from among the plants, with the on-screen text: "Biodiversity, Various Living Creatures"

'Shimajiro:A world of WOW' on the theme of 'Biodiversity', won the Grand Prize in the Preschool category at the Asian Television Awards, the largest international television awards in Asia. The programme was judged by a panel of 60 experts from among more than 1,000 entries from across Asia, and was recognised as a particularly outstanding programme. The programme focuses on living creatures whose numbers have been reduced by development, and conveys the importance of protecting living creatures and creating an environment where they can live together in harmony. The aim is to encourage parents and children to think and act for themselves.

Preschool: Shimajiro:A world of wow! "Mamimume Mottainai (wasteful)! "

The aim is to convey the meaning of 'mottainai (=wasteful)' to young children in an easy-to-understand way, and to raise their awareness. The song and dance to the Japanese lyrics of 'mamimumemo' introduces common 'mottainai(=wasteful)' situations in preschool life in an easy-to-understand way. The song and dance are designed to raise awareness of the need to eliminate 'mottainai(=wasteful)' behaviours while singing and dancing.

'What a waste!' and the words that pop out are above, with the girls and characters lined up in a row.

【'Mamimume Mottainai!' was selected as one of the '100 best videos for environmental education and ESD practice' by the Ministry of the Environment】

'100 best videos for environmental education and ESD practice'
'Mamimume Mottainai!' was selected as one of the '100 best videos for environmental education and ESD practice' by the Ministry of the Environment

In the social education category of the '100 Best Practical Videos for Environmental Education and ESD' launched by the Ministry of the Environment in 2023, the environmental awareness video for young children 'Mamimume Mottainai! was selected as one of the 100 Best Practical Videos. The jury commented: "I could sense the commitment to 'fun' so that young children can naturally engage with the video in their playtime, and I hope there will be more videos like this in the future as B to C (Business-to-Consumer) videos.

Preschool: Eco Challenge for parents and children!

Information is provided in a special environmental issue of the Shimajiro Newspaper and on the website, in the hope that parents and children will learn about 'ecology' together and have conversations about it. Although this is a difficult topic for young children, we suggest that they start by taking care of the things they love and are familiar with through quizzes, searching pictures and other play activities.

Eco-Search Challenge There is something gentle in the earth. Where can I find it?
Shimajiro's family is in a green park with a fountain.
What's eco? Uncle Lion is pointing his finger

Elementary School: Kota no Naruhodo Nyusu Fairu ("Kota's Lightbulb Discovery News File") - a Special Feature for 5th and 6th Graders in the Reasoning Plus Course from Shinken Seminar

A page to deepen intellectual interest in the environment, economics, science, and a variety of fields in order to cultivate the ability to consider things based on diverse viewpoints and experiences. Children can deepen their interest in the environment with features in the environment field, learning about the balance of organisms and nature, as well as the causes of and measures against extinction, with organism extinction-themed features. They can also consider what can be done before recycling, which requires time and energy, with waste-themed features.

6年生4月号2万種以上の生物が絶滅の危機に!
May Edition for 5th Graders: Is it okay to just recycle?
How else can we reduce trash?

Elementary School: Challenge Touch for Social Studies for 4th and 5th Graders, from Shinken Seminar

We create content so students can understand elementary school classes with Challenge Touch Social Studies.
For 4th graders, we promote an understanding of the issues in waste processing and introduce the importance of and promote action with the 3R's (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle).
For 5th graders, we work to illustrate global warming and address the Kyoto Protocol regarding world environmental problems.

チャレンジタッチ4年生社会
Challenge Touch 4th Grade Social Studies
チャレンジタッチ5年生社会
Challenge Touch 5th Grade Social Studies

Elementary School: 'SDGs riddle solving for the future: the adventures of brave and the secrets of nations'

The 'SDGs riddle solving for the future' project is a fun way for children to learn about the SDGs while providing them with an opportunity to focus on the world of the future. Through content that helps children want to learn and try, the project aims to nurture the creativity to become aware of global problems such as environmental issues and the ability to take action to proactively work towards solutions.

RPG-style heroes with medieval castles and people, 'The adventures of brave and the secrets of nations' at the top, and 'Let's start the riddle! button at the bottom.

Junior high school : 'Shinkenzemi' <Mirai-Ka (future studies)>

The Shinkenzemi junior high school course 'Mirai-ka (future studies)' offers useful topics ranging from the problems of junior high school life to dreams for the future. It also deals with the SDGs as a hint to find the future from things around them.
The following two series are currently available.

Sho Matsumaru, 'School Lunch Eating Show!'
Hiu Torikai, 'Student council secretary is sometimes talkative'

High School: Tankyu Nabi ("Inquiry Navigator")

We offer content to learn about the Inquiry-based learning process and necessary approaches in Mirai wo Hiraku Tankyu Shirizu Tankyu Nabi ("Inquiries that Create the Future Series: Inquiry Navigator"), educational materials for Inquiry-based learning that support the discovery and resolution of issues in Sogotekina Gakushu no Jikan ("Comprehensive Learning Time") aimed at high school teachers and students. Participants also practice inquisitive ways of thinking and deepen an understanding of global warming based on actual social problems.

高校生:探求ナビ1
高校生:探求ナビ2

Collaboration with Government Agencies: STEAM Library

The Benesse Corporation developed disaster prevention teaching materials for STEAM aimed at high school students as part of the STEAM Library, a part of the Mirai no Kyoshitu ("Future Classroom") project of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry released in March 2021. These educational support materials allow high school students to investigate regional disaster prevention and risk reduction based on hazard maps and statistical information from the areas in which they live while also allowing students to understand the state of the occurrence of disasters in Japan and around the world. Students also consider robots as solutions together with universities, private companies, and local government agencies as examples of the utilization of technology in disasters and risk reduction as considered by the students themselves.

Collaboration with Government Agencies: STEAM Library1
Collaboration with Government Agencies: STEAM Library2
Collaboration with Government Agencies: STEAM Library3
Benesse Holdings, Inc., Benesse Holdings, Inc. Sustainability Promotion, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Department, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Administrative Division, Benesse Corporation, Benesse Foundation for Children, Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute, Berlitz Corporation, SIMUL INTERNATIONAL, INC., Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, INC.,, Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd., UP Inc., Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd., Benesse Business-mate, Inc., Benesse Socius, Inc., Fukutake Foundation, FUKUTAKE EDUCATION AND CULTURE FOUNDATION, CLASSICO Inc.

Environmental Education Through Events, Contests, and More

The Environmental Division in a Contest where Elementary School Students from Around Japan Create the Future: Supporting Environmental Activities

We offer opportunities every year during the summer holidays to combine studies of nearby initiatives, environmental issues, and more so that students can apply to this contest.

The Environmental Division in a Contest where Elementary School Students from Around Japan Create the Future: Supporting Environmental Activities

Environmental Essay Contest for High School Students

By collecting essays on environmental issues, we hold this contest in the hopes that it might be a chance for high school students to think about environmental issues, share this with their communities, and voluntarily take action.

Environmental Essay Contest for High School Students

Benesse STEAM Festival

This is an event to share inquisitive learning among junior high school and high school students around Japan, with SDGs becoming a popular theme. As well as research and empirical studies, some students also develop apps. In FY 2022, the event was held on March 18 and 25 and was attended by many junior and senior high school students interested in tackling environmental issues.

Benesse STEAM Festa 2023
Benesse STEAM Festa 2023

National Exploration Contest

The National Exploration Contest is an opportunity for junior and senior high school students from schools that have adopted the Explore Navi and Explore Navi Basic materials to pursue their own interests and awareness of issues. It is an important step to encourage action towards a sustainable future through the exploration of environmental and social issues.

National Exploration Contest 2023
Prize-winning works in the 'Problem Solving' category 'Winners and Audience Award'.

Environmental Education Through Local Events

We develop various events in cooperation with local government agencies, private companies, environmental groups, and more.

Examples of Local Events
● EV x Future Society Creation Workshop - Sustainable Tourism

On 11-12 November 2022, a workshop was organised by the Association for the Promotion of Electric Vehicles (APEV), co-organised by Fukutake Hall, Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, The University of Tokyo and Office for the Next Generation (ONG), The University of Tokyo, supported by Benesse Holdings, Inc. and Benesse Corporation. A workshop was held on the theme of 'Thinking about sustainable tourism' using EVs from the perspective of solving problems in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, and from the perspective of environmental considerations. The workshop was attended by students from Tochigi Prefectural Utsunomiya Higashi High School, Tokyo Metropolitan Hibiya High School, Hiroo Gakuen High School and Saitama Prefectural Fudoka High School. On the first day of the workshop, based on the plans made by the students from each school, the participants toured the sights of Nikko while using AI taxis, as a demonstration project. After returning, each group shared their findings at a briefing. On the second day, students heard about the initiatives of Nikko City from the Tochigi Prefecture Department of Environment and Forests and Nikko City Hall, Tobu Railway's initiatives from JTB and Toyota Rental & Lease's initiatives. After deepening their understanding of the content of the lectures through individual Q&A sessions, the participants focused on issues based on their experiences on Day 1, came up with passionate solutions and prepared presentation materials. Each team gave a short presentation on the solutions for issues and environmental considerations in Nikko City, each with diverse and concrete ideas. The presentations were very lively, with active mutual questions and opinions about the content of the presentations. In the post-implementation questionnaire, many respondents said that they found it harder than expected to incorporate both tourism and sustainability, and that their interest deepened and their motivation to learn improved, for example, "I learnt that it is important to have a system that benefits everyone, including local residents and tourists, in order to make tourism sustainable".

● EV x Future Society Creation Workshop - Sustainable Tourism
● EV x Future Society Creation Workshop 2022

On February 12, 2022, a workshop to consider future applications for EVs as a measure against climate change took place hosted by Benesse Corporation and Association for the Popularization of Electric Vehicles (APEV) and co-hosted by Fukutake Hall, the Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, the University of Tokyo, Next Generation Office (ONG), and the Institute of Industrial Science. We are pleased to have welcomed the participation of students from Mizukaido Daiichi High School and Matsuyama Technical High School as part of their STEAM education.
In the workshop, participants considered the use of EVs and other technologies to fulfill the needs of wheelchair users, as well as social approaches such as laws and regional policies, with guidance provided by experts.
In the post-program questionnaire, participants commented that their interest in EVs had deepened and their motivation to learn had improved. Feedback included "I now understand how important it is to have a barrier-free perspective rather than just the narrow view of what is normal for able-bodied people," and "I learned a lot about EVs and can see a wonderful future for them."

●EV x Future Society Creation Workshop 2022
● Eco Life Fair 2020 Online, hosted by the Ministry of the Environment

We participated in the Eco Life Fair 2020 Online, hosted by the Ministry of the Environment from December 19, 2020 to January 17, 2021, along with the Association for the Promotion of Electric Vehicles.

We offered a video that introduced Benesse's environmental action and education and to spur viewers to consider the electric Shimajiro Car and other eco-friendly actions that they could take on their own at home, as greenhouse gas emissions from transport and households are increasing in Japan.

環境省主催「エコライフ・フェア2020 Online」

Contributions to Environmental Education Together with Local Government Agencies

● Participation in the Creation of Biological Diversity Guidelines in Tama City

Benesse Holdings and the Benesse Corporation participated in the creation of biological diversity guidelines in Tama City and collaborate in offering education on the biodiversity of Tama City to protect the rich natural environment, to gain the bounty of nature while coexisting with organisms, and to create a sustainable society.

Benesse Holdings, Inc., Benesse Holdings, Inc. Sustainability Promotion, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Department, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Administrative Division, Benesse Corporation, Benesse Foundation for Children, Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute, Berlitz Corporation, SIMUL INTERNATIONAL, INC., Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, INC.,, Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd., UP Inc., Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd., Benesse Business-mate, Inc., Benesse Socius, Inc., Fukutake Foundation, FUKUTAKE EDUCATION AND CULTURE FOUNDATION, CLASSICO Inc.

Environmental Education for Employees

We offer online environmental training for 28 companies in the Benesse Group employees and promote a foundational understanding of environmental management. Benesse Corporation also provides training for new employees, training for environmental staff in each department, as well as department-specific training, and specialised training, such as internal auditor training, for new employees in charge of environmental tasks.
We also appoint supervisors for each floor quarterly to ensure thorough separation of waste products and power saving. We promote the awareness of employees by sharing the condition of waste product separation for each floor.

Environmental Education Concepts and the Educational System
Environmental Education Concepts and the Educational System
Benesse Holdings, Inc., Benesse Holdings, Inc. Sustainability Promotion, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Corporate Communications & Investor Relations Department, Benesse Holdings, Inc. Administrative Division, Benesse Corporation, Benesse Foundation for Children, Benesse Educational Research and Development Institute, Berlitz Corporation, SIMUL INTERNATIONAL, INC., Tokyo Individualized Educational Institute, INC.,, Ochanomizu Seminar Co., Ltd., UP Inc., Benesse Style Care Co., Ltd., Benesse Business-mate, Inc., Benesse Socius, Inc., Fukutake Foundation, FUKUTAKE EDUCATION AND CULTURE FOUNDATION, CLASSICO Inc.

Last updated : 2024/03/06