We encourage girls in junior and senior high schools to study science and technology in universities.

We fully support them to learn and develop their potential carrer paths in the fields of science and technology.

Our activity was introduced on Youtube channel
of the Noevir Green Foundation

One of our pillar activity ‘Summer school for girls in junior and senior high schools (The Natsugaku)’ held in August 2019, was introduced on Youtube channel of the Noevir Green Foundation. The video is only in Japanese.

Support from Lenovo Foundation through Give2Asia

We are pleased to announce that we have received support from Lenovo Foundation (https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/about/foundation/) through Give2Asia (https://give2asia.org/), an international non-profit organization established to promote philanthropy in the Asian region.

Lenovo Foundation will provide financial support for projects to be implemented in Japan in fiscal year 2021, and we will provide a wide range of support to female junior and senior high school students who are aiming to pursue careers in science and technology.

The Mission of an NPO STEM Carrer Path Project for Girls（GSTEM-CPP)

Our Mission is to communicate with girls in junior and senior high schools on the fascinating culture of science and technology across the wide range of research fields, and to encourage and support them, through communication, to learn and develop their future career paths in the fields of science and technology.

Greetings from the representative director

Ayako Yamamoto

The representative director, An NPO STEM Career Path Project for Girls
(Professor, Shibaura Institute of Technology; Member, The Physical Society of Japan)

The value of diversity has been growing in Japanese societies and the diverse potential of an individual person is expected to be fully respected and adequately achieved regardless of sex or gender. However, for girls in junior and senior high schools who are interested in science and technology and want to study them further in a university, it is not necessarily easy to clearly learn and develop their future career paths. General as well as specific information about women who are actively working in science and technology (i.e. models of career women) is not fully available. To improve this situation for enthusiastic and prospective girls, 14 years ago we created a summer training camp for these girls to study advanced science and technology in sophisticated ways and to meet people who are actively working in those fields. This program is called ‘Summer school for girls in junior and senior high schools (The Natsugaku)’. Supported by public funding, the Natsugaku have been held every summer since then. In December 2018, we established ‘STEM Career Path Project for Girls’ as an incorporated non-profit (NPO) organization in order to enhance the activities and manage the Natsugaku by independent financial sources. We hope that, by attending the Natsugaku, girls in junior and senior high schools who want to study science and technology in a university can be exposed to possible future career paths in science and technology and broaden their potential to become a woman who contributes to the advancement of science and technology in the future.

Three pillar activities of an NPO of STEM Career Path Project for Girls

Education to provide opportunities to learn diverse fields of science and technology

We provide opportunities for girls in junior and senior high schools to directly and excitingly learn science and technology. The NPO conducts a 3-day training camp every August, called ‘Summer school for girls in junior and senior high schools (The Natsugaku)’. The Natsugaku offers an exciting experience for about 100 girls in junior and senior high schools, who are selected from applicants from all over Japan. They work with approximately 30 female university students who organize the steering committee or act as teaching assistants. This is linked to more than 200 staff from academic societies, business organizations and companies in the fields of science and technology. Participating girls can learn diverse career paths related to science and technology through close communication with researchers, engineers and university students. The NPO is keen on expanding the Natsugaku into many areas across Japan.

Human resource development to provide information on career paths in science and technology

We support girls in junior and senior high schools to learn and develop their future career paths in science and technology from university studies to professional careers. The Natsugaku has been conducted every August since 2005, which has been made possible by support and participation by many female researchers, engineers and university students, including members of the former organization of the NPO. Diverse but clear career paths of female professionals in the fields of science and technology have been identified and introduced on the other website (Click here), which should be seen as good role-models for girls in junior and senior high schools.

Exchange of information between institutions and/or organizations interested in female resource development in science and technology

We offer opportunities to exchange information on female resource development in science and technology for people and institutions/organizations who support the NPO. Linked with an increasing number of schools and companies which are seriously involved in female resource development in science and technology, we seek to play a role to further encourage female resource development in science and technology as a non-profit and public organization. In this context, the NPO listens to schools and companies who say ‘we want to be involved in education for female career development in science and technology’ and ‘we want to support education for female career development in science and technology’, and make opportunities to exchange the information based on the experience coming from the Natsugaku.

Human resource development to provide information on career paths in science and technology

We support girls in junior and senior high schools to learn and develop their future career paths in science and technology from university studies to professional careers. The Natsugaku has been conducted every August since 2005, which has been made possible by support and participation by many female researchers, engineers and university students, including members of the former organization of the NPO. Diverse but clear career paths of female professionals in the fields of science and technology have been identified and introduced on the other website (Click here), which should be seen as good role-models for girls in junior and senior high schools.

What is ‘Summer school for girls
in junior and senior high schools (the Natsugaku)’?

More than 100 girls in junior and high schools from all over Japan participate in the Natsugaku every year and share their experience through the 3-day program. After the spread of COVID-19, Natsugaku is held online annually on a similar scale.

Opening ceremony Day-1

On day-2, participants enjoy diverse scientific programs prepared by various institutions/organizations/companies.

Closing ceremony Day-3

Opening ceremony Day-1

About ‘Summer school for girls in junior and senior
high schools (the Natsugaku)’

Summer school for girls in junior and senior high schools (the Natsugaku)’ is a carrer education program for girls in junior and senior high schools from all over Japan, providing them with opportunities to experience science and technology and to think about their future with women and peers who are active in the same field.

History of the Natsugaku

The Natsugaku started in 2005 and has developed since then as one of the largest activities in Japan to encourage and support girls in junior and senior high schools to major in science and technology in university. The Natsugaku has been supported by various people, institutions, organizations and companies, including Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), National Women’s Education Center (NWEC) and the Japan Inter-Society Liaison Association Committee for Promoting Equal Participation of Men and Women in Science and Engineering (EPMEWSE).

Data on the Natsugaku

Commencement: 2005

Venue: National Women’s Education Center (NWEC)
            728 Sugaya, Ranzan-machi, Hikigun, Saitama,
            355-0292, Japan
            (12-minute walk from Musashi Ranzan Station
             on Tobu Tojo Line)

Participants: Approximately 100 girls in junior and senior
                     high schools from all over Japan

Organizer: An NPO of STEM Career Path Project for Girls
                  National Women’s Education Center (NWEC)
                  - Independent administrative institution

Program: [Day-1]
                1. Opening ceremony
                2. Lectures for career development
                3. ‘Science battle’ (Scientific quiz)

                [Day-2]
                1. ‘Science adventure’ (Laboratory works)
                2. Poster presentation
                3. ‘Gate Way’ (Counselling on career development
                    and/or related daily-life)

                [Day-3]
                1. Career planning
                2. Presentation on the career planning
                3. Closing ceremony

Achievements: The Natsugaku has been conducted every
                         August since 2005 (14 years). The number
                         of participants has grown to more than
                         1,300 girls in junior and high schools and
                         more than 300 parents and teachers.

History of the Natsugaku

The Natsugaku started in 2005 and has developed since then as one of the largest activities in Japan to encourage and support girls in junior and senior high schools to major in science and technology in university. The Natsugaku has been supported by various people, institutions, organizations and companies, including Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), National Women’s Education Center (NWEC) and the Japan Inter-Society Liaison Association Committee for Promoting Equal Participation of Men and Women in Science and Engineering (EPMEWSE).

Testimonials from participants

I got a strong impression being advised ‘if society disturbs you, you propose your way to the society’. I was encouraged to pursue my own life by acting against problems about which I feel uncomfortable to in society.

(After a program ‘Lectures for career development’)

I understood that several different departments existed in university for pursuing science (Department of Science, Department of Agriculture, etc.) and many different divisions and laboratories worked on further sub-areas in science. I think that it does not matter if one has a clear career vision for the future because all sub-areas in science are linked to some specific jobs. I realized I could do whatever I wanted to do.

(After a program ‘Science adventure’)

All uncleared matters are gone. It’s up to myself now.

(After a program ‘Gate Way’)

It was good to know the dreams of other participants. I feel for sure that we have friends who can work hard together.

 (After a program ‘Presentation on the career planning’)

It was good to know the dreams of other participants. I feel for sure that we have friends who can work hard together.

 (After a program ‘Presentation on the career planning’)

Updated information on the Natsugaku is available on the official website of
‘Summer school for girls in junior and senior high schools (the Natsugaku)’

Click here for the official website of
‘Summer school for girls in junior and senior high schools (the Natsugaku)’

Become a member of the NPO of
‘STEM Career Path Project for Girls (GSTEM-CPP)'

The NPO calls official members (Personnel; 10,000 Yen for registration and 12,000 Yen for an annual fee)
and support members (Personnel or organization; No registration fee
and at least 10,000 Yen for an annual fee).
Click below for further details.

Click here to become a member

Support an NPO of ‘STEM Career Path Project for Girls (GSTEM-CPP)’

The NPO welcomes donations (at least 1,000 Yen) for our activities including the Natsugaku.
Both bank transfer and credit card payment is possible.
Other ways of supporting our activities are also most welcomed.
Please send enquiries in the link below for further details.

Click here for enquiries and donations

The NPO details

Name

A non-profit organization of ‘STEM Career Path Project for Girls’
Establishment 10 December 2018
The representative director

Ayako Yamamoto
(Professor, Shibaura Institute of Technology; Member, The Physical Society of Japan)

The directors

Yumiko Nagoh
(The vice-representative director: President, BM Design Laboratory; Member,
Japan Women Engineers Forum (JWEF))

Takayuki Uematsu
(The vice-representative director: Deputy Director of Laboratory, Kitasato University Medical Center; Member, The Molecular Biology Society of Japan)

Keiko Imai
(Professor, Chuo University; Member, The Japanese Society for Industrial and
Applied Mathematics (JSIAM))

Reiko Inagi
(Professor, The University of Tokyo; Member, Japanese Society of Nephrology)

Nao Hirooka
(Approved Specified Nonprofit Corporation 'Switch')
Auditor-secretary

Chikako Noro
(Professor, Nihon University; Member, The Society of Japanese Women Scientists)

Yoshimi Nakata
(President, Nakata Technician Office; Member, Japan Health Physics Society)
Office

6th Floor (OWL), Japan Association for Women’s Education (Nihon Joshi Kaikan),
2-6-8 Shibakoen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0011, Japan
Access

An 8-minute walk from the north entrance of JR Hamamatsucho Station.
A 5-minute walk from the A6 entrance of Daimon Station of Asakusa Line
(Tokyo Metropolitan Subway) (See the Google Map below)
E-mail office*gstem-cpp.or.jp (change * to @)
Telephone

+81-50-5360-1741 (We call back when unanswered)

The directors

Yumiko Nagoh
(The vice-representative director: President, BM Design Laboratory; Member,
Japan Women Engineers Forum (JWEF))

Takayuki Uematsu
(The vice-representative director: Deputy Director of Laboratory, Kitasato University Medical Center; Member, The Molecular Biology Society of Japan)

Keiko Imai
(Professor, Chuo University; Member, The Japanese Society for Industrial and
Applied Mathematics (JSIAM))

Reiko Inagi
(Professor, The University of Tokyo; Member, Japanese Society of Nephrology)

Nao Hirooka
(Approved Specified Nonprofit Corporation 'Switch')

Disclosure of information

The NPO discloses information on the management of the organization through the ‘Portal website for NPO (run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government)’.

Official SNS

Contents and activities of the NPO are presented in the official SNS of the ‘Summer school for girls in junior and senior high schools (the Natsugaku)’. The official SNS is one of the important activities of the NPO and we regularly update the contents. Please follow us if you are interested in our activities.

※ Contents in the SNS do not represent the official view of the NPO. Please refer to and double-check updated information on our website.

The NPO participates in the ‘Rico-Challe’. 

The NPO participates in the ‘Challenge in Science and Technology (Rico-Challe)’, organized and run by the Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet Office, and is registered as a ‘Rico-Challe support organization’ and ‘Network for supporting women in science and technology’.

Our official support members listed below
have been closely working with us.

The Physical Society of Japan

Japanese Society of Nephrology

The Chemical Society of Japan

Japan Society for Symbolic and Algebraic Computation

The Mathematical Society of Japan

The Ecological Society of Japan

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Japan Geoscience Union

Information Processing
Society of Japan

Recruiting members

Recruiting members

Recruiting members