Child Protection Japan Project #13568

School of Fun for Children in Fukushima

by Academy Camp

Project Report | Oct 14, 2024
Academy Camp 2024 Fall - Shouting AI Again in the Northwest of the Capital

By Kenji Saito | Representative Director

A lot of time was spent assembling the robot cats

Please find a Japanese version of this report here.

We held our second AI-focused camp at Waseda University's Waseda Campus during Japan’s September long weekend. A total of nine participants, ranging from elementary to high school students, joined from the Tohoku and Kanto regions. In addition, former camp members who are now technical college and university students also participated as staff.

This time, we challenged ourselves to create a 'physically embodied generative AI.' We assembled microcontroller-controlled robots based on a commercially available dog-shaped robot kit (though they were skeletal-wise looked more like cats, so we decided to call them cat-shaped robots). The microcontrollers were equipped with Open Interpreter software, allowing us to build robots that responded to Japanese commands and moved as desired by the user.

On the second day, we explored the Waseda Campus, which is home to many museums such as the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum and the Haruki Murakami Library. We also enjoyed Monjayaki in Tsukishima, which was close to our accommodation.

On the third day, our cat-shaped robots finally started moving. For example, when we asked them to 'move until you are 5 cm away from the wall,' they initially ran into the wall or failed repeatedly. However, as the robot cats rewrote their own code to adjust, they eventually responded perfectly to requests like 'back up until you are 20 cm away from the wall.' They can also tell you what they see through the camera attached to the front of their faces, and they even learned to communicate with us using Morse code. When a cat-shaped robot sends out an SOS, you just feel like you have to go help it!

We envisioned a future where we live with physical AI partners, shared our vision, and promised to continue playing with the cat-shaped robots. Although we spent a lot of time assembling the robots in this camp, next time we’ll have plenty of time to play with them.

A day at museums - at the Haruki Murakami Library

Calibrating the robots is a very important step

Asking autonomous robots to do what humans want

Thinking about living with physical AI partners

With the founder of Waseda University

Links:

Academy Camp Facebook page in English

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Sep 12, 2024
Academy Camp 2024 Second Summer in Hakone - The Camp You Make

By Kenji Saito | Representative Director

Knowing the group you belong to with cards

Please find a Japanese version of this report here.

For three days, from August 19th to 21st, we held our second camp of this summer, which was also the second time we hosted a camp in Hakone following last year’s event. This is the reason behind the camp’s name, 'Second Summer.' A total of 18 children participated in this camp, coming from various regions such as Tohoku, Kanto, Shinetsu, Tokai, and locally from Yokohama and Odawara.

The theme of this camp was 'The Academy Camp You Make.' What kind of experiences did everyone make for themselves in Hakone, a summer resort and popular tourist destination with various attractions? They toured Owakudani, a geothermal area formed by the last eruption of the Hakone volcano, via ropeway, rode the pirate ship (a transportation method on Lake Ashi), enjoyed athletic activities in the forest, swam in various pools, and challenged themselves to making Yosegi Zaiku (wooden mosaics). In addition to these classic Hakone sightseeing activities, the children also had a blast with a treasure hunt game they created themselves at the onsen ryokan (hot spring inn), which was reserved just for us. We also enjoyed a barbecue and fireworks.

On the final day, we reflected on our experiences and asked ourselves what we had ultimately made. The answer was not just the Yosegi Zaiku and Kiriko glass we crafted, but also friendship, smiles, bonds, memories, teamwork, and planning skills. With the memories of this 'Second Summer' in our hearts, the adventures of the children and us will continue.

The second summer in the forest adventure

She experienced making wooden mosaic

Play with large and small fireworks

Review of what we made at this camp

Goodbye to onsen ryokan with cats

Links:

Academy Camp Facebook page in English

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Jul 10, 2024
Academy Camp 2024 FS - First Summer in FukuShima - A Reunion

By Kenji Saito | Representative Director

Cook and eat the best dinner

Please find a Japanese version of this report here.

On a weekend in June (22nd-23rd) we held our first physical camp in Fukushima for a long time. Thirteen children, from second-graders to first-year high school students, participated from Tohoku, including Fukushima, and Kanto and Chubu regions. We had sixteen staff members, seven of whom had attended our camps in the past as children, four out of the seven were new staff members. Two were mothers of past and present participants. The camp was like a reunion, with those who had been children showing up as grown-up adults.

The camp began with the following question, which was asked online before the participating members had yet to physically assemble all at once: If you could cook and eat the best dinner together, what would it be? - The answer was dumplings wrapped by everyone together, accompanied by local dishes from Fukushima. So the children went shopping and gathered at a cottage north of Lake Inawashiro, where they all tried their hand at cooking and had a delicious dinner. When asked why it was the best dinner as expected, the children responded, "Because we made it together." And to make the next day the best, everyone thought, "Let's find fun things ourselves."

The next morning, after enjoying various activities at the cottage, the group headed to the Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum on the shores of Lake Inawashiro. They learnt about Dr Noguchi's discoveries, many of which have been debunked today, and reflected on the relentless workings of science and the challenges of his life, which were never in vain. The children shared their thoughts on his life, saying, "His life must have contributed to future researchers both scientifically and spiritually." Goodbye, one-thousand-yen note (Dr. Hideyo Noguchi was chosen as the portrait for the Japanese one-thousand-yen note from 2004 to 2024).

Reflecting on the enjoyable two days, which, in the words of one high school participant, "felt like we spent ten days together and became really close," we reluctantly parted ways, promising to meet again. Yes, it might be at the Second Summer camp.

HELP US ON JULY BONUS DAY 2024

The 2024 July Bonus Day campaign is a one-day crowdfunding campaign at GlobalGiving, in which donations between $100 and $1,000 will count, and the higher the donation, the higher the match. The campaign starts at 9:00AM EDT and ends at 11:59PM EDT on July 10th, but matching funds will likely run out before the end of the day. We know the economy is tough, but we hope you will take this unique opportunity to support Academy Camp to help build a future for children in Fukushima and across Japan.

Sing and dance to camp songs

A large human-knot challenge

With a statue of Dr. Hideyo Noguchi

Reflecting on two days of fun

Reunion with grown-up members

Links:

Academy Camp Facebook page in English

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