It is already September… September is conference season, so it is quite busy, but before we know it, October will arrive and the second semester will begin. I need to get started on class preparations as well. I must do my best.

From October, we will be welcoming two new students: one master’s student and one research student. The master’s student has transitioned from being a research student. They wish to conduct research on chemistry learning, so over the past year, they have reviewed various previous studies and visited high schools. From here on, I believe we will proceed with the design and implementation of specific learning environments.

I am not yet sure what to expect from the other research student. They expressed an interest in informal learning. It seems they can also program, so I hope we can finalize what specific research they want to do, have them review previous studies, and get them building things right away! If they can build a certain amount during their time as a research student, the development workload will be significantly reduced if they enter the master’s program. I wonder about their English… I had told them to take the TOEIC, but I have not heard anything back. At the Yamada Lab, we read English literature extensively, so it will be quite difficult unless a student is proficient in English, or at least someone who is willing to bite the bullet and work hard.

We currently have two second-year master’s students in the Yamada Lab, and I hope the new students will follow their example and conduct excellent research.