Mitsui Chemicals wins Japan schools award

Tokyo – Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. has been selected by the Catalysis Society of Japan to receive the 2015 Award for Education in recognition of its on-going youth education initiatives. The award will be presented 21 March at Osaka Prefecture University.

The programmes include Mitsui’s “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, and efforts to enhance knowledge and understanding of chemistry among students.

Mitsui’s education drive dates back to 2006, when the company launched an ongoing chemistry education programme for youth under the name of “Laboratory Classes in the Wonders of Chemistry”. This 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: increasing curiosity among children and making them enthusiastic about chemistry and science.

Currently, over 5,000 children participate in the programs annually. “Classes” are held at over 30 locations, including elementary schools, in Japan. The programme has also been expanded overseas to locations such as Singapore and China.

Mitsui 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.