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1. What prompted you decide to participate in the “JSPS Science Dialogue” program?
I wanted to take this special opportunity to share my scientific knowledge with young students, by introducing to them my field of research. Also as a way to express my thanks to JSPS for giving me this rare opportunity, to further enrich my research capacity here in Japan.
2. To what did you give greatest attention in preparing and giving the lecture?
In preparing the lecture, I gave greatest attention to presenting my topic in a simple and logical way, linking what they have learned at school with my lecture topic, at the same time creating motivation in science and to my field of research. To facilitate this, I prepared a summary (plus important figures and tables) a week before the lecture and handed over to the school through my host researcher.
In giving the lecture I paid much attention in making sure that I don't leave my audience behind. I spoke slowly and louder. Most importantly, I made sure that every word was pronounced clearly. In addition this, I also handed over print outs of my power point slides to the students just before the lecture started. This helped the students to follow my lecture smoothly and keep notes of unclear information or places, as questions after the lecture.
3. Did you find it difficult to give a lecture in English to Japanese students? Could you give some advice to future lecturers on how to facilitate communication with Japanese students?
I did not find it difficult at all; because on the lecture day, there was a pre-arranged exhibition before my
lecture, to a mangrove center, followed by an excursion in the mangroves. During the exhibition students were introduced to various aspects of mangrove ecology, both in Japanese and English by my host researcher, and by listening to a short lecture on video. Then students were taken to the field to observe everything in the field.
This greatly simplified my lecture that followed after the visits, in addition to the lecture summary I had given them a week before.
My additional advice to future lectures is;
- Keep your lecture simple and logical, with lots of relevant illustrations.
- Prepare a summary of your lecture at least one week before, and hand it to the high school through you host researcher. This will enable students prepare themselves in advance for the lecture.
- Prepare handouts of you slides as well, and hand in just before the lecture starts.
4. Could you give your impression with regard to participating in this program?
As a marine biologist, it was my best opportunity to talk about mangroves and their values, (in terms of supporting food webs in marine ecosystems), to high school students.
5. Was it meaningful in terms of your fellowship activities?
Yes, I think it is important for scientists to communicate with young students and talk about their research, as a way of creating motivation and enthusiasm to future scientists.
6. In what ways do you think the students benefited from the program?
- By getting exposed to current scientific research, in addition, to getting ideas of how research is conducted.
- To some students, the program may help to give a direction (or a beginning), towards a particular future carrier.
- Help students realize that research originates from basic science; by linking what they have learned at school in a rather broader or general perspective, into a narrower and more specialized way.
7. Could you give some overall advice or comments to future participants in the program?
The best way is to keep your talk simple, if you think it is too difficult for the students to understand, you may probably try to look for some links with topics taught at high school. Since you need to keep your talk simple, don't underestimate the amount of time required to prepare a good talk. It is a very interesting experience!
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