(1)The Northern Region Environmental Science Education Program

This program uses the field-science education research installations scattered throughout the natural environment in Hokkaido. Lectures and practical training geared for graduate students, undergraduate students and the general public are conducted, and environmental education through field experience and participative learning is practiced. The aim of the program is regional activation.   At the Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere and the Institute of Low Temperature Science, various regional projects have been carried out for kindergarten children, primary school students and the general public. They include the following: The Mori Winter Exploration Squad (in cooperation with the Uryu Research Forest, Nayoro City Museum, Horokanai Town Board of Education, and Nayoro City College), the nature experience lecture "Nature is a textbook", the summer cram school "The forest is our friend" (in cooperation with the Nakagawa Research Forest, Nakagawa town, Otoineppu Board of Education, and Nakagawa Town Ecomuseum Center), the nature observation meeting "The Eye-cup Natural History Museum" (at the Atsukeshi Marine Biological Laboratory), the summer-vacation science club "Seaweed collection and sample making" (at the Muroran Marine Biological Laboratory; sponsored by the Youth Science Museum of Muroran City), and sea-ice filed courses (at the Pan-Okhotsk Research Center).   In addition, at the Lake Toya Experimental Station, Muroran Marine Biological Laboratory, Tomakomai Experimental Forest, Uryu Research Forest, Shizunai Research Ranch, former Sea Ice Research Laboratory in Mombetsu, and Yoichi   Orchard, general-education field-experience practices are taught, and comprehensive lectures concerning field science are given. This invaluable experience allows the participants an opportunity to learn about the region.   Based on our results, we are developing activities in this program that instruct students and contribute to the local communities.