Social Activities
Laboratory Classes on the Wonders of Chemistry
Point three in the Mitsui Chemicals Group Social Activities Policy is, “Do its bit to nurture future generations, on whose shoulders the future rests.” In order to further this goal on a global basis, the Mitsui Chemicals Group launched the Laboratory Classes on the Wonders of Chemistry program.
Since 2006, we have organized various types of classes, from off-site classes, whereby members of staff from each of our sites go out to local schools, summer vacation events and festivals, to those held during tours round our works and research centers.
Taking into account the interests and opinions of the participants, the Laboratory Class topics are determined and developed by the Head Office and the Sodegaura Center. Relevant business divisions at the Head Office produce manuals on laboratory content and management and provide support for events organized at various Group sites in Japan and other countries. Additionally, leaflets that encourage children who have participated in laboratory experiments to take a more in-depth look at chemicals used at home have been published in response to external expert recommendations and these are being distributed to participants.
The program has also been registered as a group supporting the Saturday Educational Activities Program sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Donation of children's experiment kits
Although we had to refrain from holding our annual experiments and classes both at our sites and elsewhere due to the COVID-19 pandemic, experiment kits have been donated to local schools to offer children the experience of conducting an experiment.
Online Laboratory Classes
In fiscal 2021, we conducted a new online style of laboratory classes. The events were well received by the participants, who commented: “While various events were canceled due to COVID-19, I could enjoy it safely from home” and “It was an enlightening experiment.”
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| Event name | Target | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Online Experiment Show | Children of Mitsui Chemicals Group employees | An experiment using the Group’s product ABSORTOMER™ was conducted. |
| Online collaboration workshop event on World Water Day between One-Coin Club (WaterAid Japan) and Wonders of Chemistry for children | Children of Mitsui Chemicals Group employees and their friends | A workshop event with the theme of water was held in collaboration with WaterAid Japan, an organization supported by One-Coin Club. An experiment using the Group’s product TAFNEL™ Oil Blotter™ was conducted. |
Laboratory Classes on the Wonders of Chemistry Experiments
*Experiment titles are subject to change.
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| Experiment title | Description |
|---|---|
| Slime - Making your own slime - Making jumbo slime together - Shiny slime - Slime ball |
FieldPolymer properties By making "slime" (i.e. cross-linking polyvinyl alcohol with water using borax), participants learn that water can be confined and about the gels around us in our everyday lives |
| Light experiments with polarizing plate |
FieldLight Participants learn about the passage of light through a kaleidoscope fitted with a polarizing plate that converts natural light into linear light, as used in mobile phones and other such devices |
| Chromatography art |
FieldAdsorption and separation Participants learn that the ink in a water-based pen contains a mixture of various different colors (pigments) |
| Plastic board |
FieldPolymer properties Participants learn about the properties and separation of plastics, by using the heat shrinkable properties of polystyrene to make their own original accessories |
| Let’s make Cartesian divers! |
FieldBuoyancy Participants learn about buoyancy and pressure, by making a Cartesian diver from a PET bottle and a plastic soy sauce container |
| Let’s investigate the properties of aqueous solutions using red cabbage |
FieldAcids and alkalis Using anthocyanin extracted from red cabbage, participants investigate the properties of everyday liquids and learn about acids and alkalis |
| Let’s make an air freshener using spongy polymers |
FieldPolymer properties Related Group productsNonwoven fabrics Participants learn about the principle of water retention, by making an air freshener from a water-absorbing polymer, as used in disposable diapers, gardening supplies and other such products |
| Let’s make a rainbow tower |
FieldSpecific gravity Participants learn about the specific gravity (relative density) of fluids, by pouring colored waters with varying concentrations together to make a tower |
| Let's make a freezer! |
FieldHeat of solution Related Group productsUrea Participants learn about the principle of heat adsorption via the heat of solution of urea, as used in such products as fertilizer and moisturizing cream |
| Learn how bubble bath works! |
FieldReaction of acid and salt Participants learn about how carbon dioxide is produced, by making bubble bath from baking soda and citric acid |
| Learn about acid rain! |
FieldAcids and alkalis, Oxidation / reduction Participants learn about acid rain and what causes it, by measuring the pH using red cabbage extract and conducting a bleaching experiment using iodine |
| Let's make paper! |
FieldRecycling / Making paper Related Group productsAcrylamide Using everyday implements, participants experience paper recycling from old paper and learn about papermaking and recycling |
| Let's make small objects from melted plastic! |
FieldPolymer properties Related Group products General thermoplastics Participants learn about the properties of thermoplastics, which melt when heated, by using a glue gun to melt resin and make small objects |
| Experience the wonders of shrinking films! |
FieldPolymer properties Related Group productsFilms, PET, etc. Participants learn about the principle of heat shrinkage, by using shrinkable film to attach labels and make their own PET bottle |
| See the power of air! |
FieldHydrodynamics Participants learn about air resistance, by observing air rings emitted from an air cannon |
| Let's make snow on pine cones! |
FieldCrystals Related Group productsUrea Participants learn about crystal deposition, by observing dissolved urea being sprayed onto pinecones and drying |
| Let's make light like a firefly! |
FieldEnzymes Participants learn about the difference between bioluminescence and chemiluminescence by making light using each of luciferase enzymes taken from fireflies and using mineral-based chemicals |
| Let’s try and absorb oil! |
FieldPolymer properties Related Group productsTAFNEL™ Oil Blotter™ Participants learn about the principles and how to use adsorbent materials, by absorbing only the oil from mixed oil and water substances |
| Expand? Shrink? Disappear?! Let’s look into the properties of mystery plastics! |
FieldPolymer properties Related Group productsABSORTOMER™ Participants learn about the properties of a variety of plastic films, by taking steps to expand, shrink, and dissolve various plastics. They also learn about changes in polymers (plastics) attributable to temperatures |
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