Mitsui Chemicals Receives Catalysis Society of Japan Award for Education

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (Tokyo:4183; President & CEO: Tsutomu Tannowa) announced it was selected by the Catalysis Society of Japan to receive the 2015 Award for Education. The selection committee highly evaluated the Company’s ongoing youth education programs, including its “Laboratory Class in the Wonders of Chemistry” which aims to promote interest and a deeper understanding of chemistry among children by supporting their safe participation in experiments under supervision of experienced company staff, and its efforts to enhance knowledge and understanding of chemistry among students. The award will be presented on March 21st at the Osaka Prefecture University.

Although prior to 2006 the Company provided elementary school pupils opportunities to conduct experiments, in 2006 it launched an ongoing chemistry education program for youth under the name of “Laboratory Classes in the Wonders of Chemistry”. Under the program, the Company offers 18 experiment themes, including those involving catalyst science showing oxidation and reduction, enzyme reactions, and adsorption. The “classes” help children understand concepts such as chemical bonds by holding hands and participating in simple quizzes. By increasing curiosity, children become enthusiastic about chemistry and science making many of them to comment that, “I’m going to try this at home to show my mom and dad”.
Currently, over 5000 children participate in the programs annually. “Classes” are held at over 30 locations, including elementary schools, in Japan. The program has been so successful that it has been expanded overseas to locations such as Singapore and China.

The Mitsui Chemicals Group has written and published over 20 books on catalyst science, contributed articles to over 90 professional magazines, and has a track record of over 180 lectures and presentations in connection with dissemination and enhancing awareness of the importance of catalyst science.

The Catalysis Society of Japan Award for Education recognized the Mitsui Chemicals Group’s significant contributions to education and public awareness about catalysts. The selection committee highly evaluated the Group’s efforts to familiarize children with catalyst science through fun experiments and its contributions in promoting understanding and knowledge of students through educational programs and numerous publications and lectures.

The Mitsui Chemicals Group will continue its educational activities for youth, in not only catalyst science, but chemistry as a whole, to enhance understanding and foster interest of the next generation of researchers and scientists.