On Thursday, October 22, our students took part in a beach cleanup and fieldwork activity at Shingu Beach as part of their environmental studies class, continuing a tradition from previous years.

This year, students once again used quadrats—one-meter-square frames commonly used in ecological surveys—to collect plastic debris. They sifted sand from within the quadrats through sieves to find and collect plastic pieces.

Back at school, students recorded data on the size and other characteristics of the collected plastic pieces.

They then used the collected materials to create works of art.

After the activity, students shared their reflections:

“I was surprised to find all kinds of trash on the beach, including slippers and water bottles. The ocean looks clean from a distance, but I realized that it is actually polluted.”
- Grade 7 student

“We worked in the same area as last year, and I felt that there was less trash this time. Picking up litter together with everyone made the activity enjoyable.”
- Grade 8 student

“It seemed that there was less visible trash than before. I think this is a meaningful activity, and I hope students in the Junior and Senior High School divisions will continue it in the future.”
- Grade 9 student

Through this hands-on experience at the beach, scientific analysis of collected data, and artistic expression, students were able to connect environmental issues more closely to their own lives.

We will continue to deepen our learning and put our knowledge into action through activities like this.

The beach cleanup was also featured on a program by NHK Fukuoka Broadcasting Station.