The essential elements of Japan Super Science High School: A case study of Shizuoka prefecture
Nurul F. Sulaeman, Pramudya D. A. Putra, Irma R. Swarma, Tomotaka Kuroda, Tomohiro Takebayasi, Ippei Mineta, Naoko Kosaka, Yoshisuke Kumano

Physics Education Program, Mulawarman University, Indonesia
Science Education Program, University of Jember, Indonesia
Department of Physics Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia
STEAM Education Institute, Shizuoka University, Japan
Research Group of Petrology and Mineralogy, Nagoya University, Japan
Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan
Research Fellow RPD, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
Special Trainee, National Institute for Educational Policy Research (NIER)

Abstract

To support the enhancement of science and technology, Japan government established the Super Science High School in 2002. However, there is a lack of information about this school for international scholars. We addressed this problem by observing and working with SSH in Shizuoka Prefecture and understanding their intended school models. Context of Shizuoka prefecture is interesting because the prefecture is well-known for its high-technology manufacturing company. Our ^bottom-up^ approach, mainly based on observation, contrasts with other studies using a literature-based method to define SSH schools. We identified four elements that represent the common goals and strategies employed by SSH: Independence scientific research, Scientific English, courses related to STEAM, and international collaboration. This framework offers a clear picture of what exactly SSH schools are. Findings suggest that SSH identity is rooted in pedagogy, school culture, and rigorous instruction, especially in science and technology, including support from scientists and researchers from the surrounding universities as invited speakers, teacher assistance and opportunities to conduct research in university level laboratories.

Keywords: Super Science High School, Japan, Observation Analysis

Topic: Society 5.0 in Science Education