On August 1, 2025, the Keio University Faculty of Science and Technology hosted “Girls Meet STEM at Keio Science and Technology 2025,” the university’s third annual event for female junior high and high school students.

A total of 41 participants, including students and their parents, visited Yagami Campus.

Event Name: Girls Meet STEM at Keio Science and Technology 2025: Campus Tour and Roundtable for Female Junior and Senior High School Students
Organizer: Keio University Faculty of Science and Technology
Date: Friday, August 1, 2025, 10:00 AM–12:30 PM
Target Audience: Students from 7th to 12th grade who are legally registered as female or identify as female
Venue: Keio University Yagami Campus (Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture)

The event began at the LIVE HUB in the Yagami Innovation Laboratory (YIL), the starting point for the campus tour, where participants heard the opening remarks and an introduction to the Faculty of Science and Technology. In her address, Associate Professor Tomoko Shimizu of the Department of Applied Physics and Physico-Informatics highlighted the strengths and appeal of Keio’s Faculty of Science and Technology.

“The guiding principle that runs through Keio’s Faculty of Science and Technology is sōhatsu (emerging and breakthrough). Through co-creation with people from diverse backgrounds in both research and education, we strive to create a better society. Our university provides an environment not only to deepen one’s area of expertise, but also to grow as a person through liberal arts studies, extracurricular activities, and opportunities such as studying abroad.
Carrying on the spirit of our founder Yukichi Fukuzawa, we place great importance on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Science and technology advance when knowledge from people of different ages, genders, and backgrounds comes together. This spirit has produced many of Keio Science and Technology’s research achievements. I hope that you experience the appeal of Keio Science and Technology today and find inspiration in your future path in STEM fields.”

Participants then split into groups, for guided tours by current Keio students. 

The first floor of YIL is a student interaction space—a free area where students usually present their research results, enjoy coffee breaks, or study. It is also a co-creation hub that welcomes visiting researchers and company representatives. Designed with an eel-inspired concept, YIL is quite spacious and open, with the relaxed atmosphere of a café.

Upstairs on the second floor are four STUDIOs. They are open spaces, accessible to all students, who can drop in and even participate in research projects. The first stop was the Hakaru STUDIO (“Measuring STUDIO”), where research focuses on sensing technology that measures human physical activity and more. One application of this technology is a device that can turn a stuffed animal into a robot. Future research aims to apply it to remote communication and therapeutic robots.

At the Ugokasu STUDIO (“Motion STUDIO”), a four-legged robot took the stage. Equipped with an intelligent system that allows it to walk, dance, and even learn words, this robot is part of the field robotics discipline, which develops machines for environments such as planets or active volcanoes.

At the Nano STUDIO, students were introduced to the world of atomic force microscopes. These devices trace the surfaces of objects with a needle, detect unevenness, and create 3D images. By exploring the atomic world, a world invisible to the naked eye, researchers aim to develop new semiconductor materials and solutions to environmental challenges.

Impressed by their first contact with cutting-edge research, the students next visited the Education and Research Building (Building 34). It is an iconic building for the Faculty of Science and Technology, housing laboratories and workspaces.

The joint laboratory used by the Chemistry and Applied Chemistry departments is used for third-year classes. The third year at Keio Science and Technology is when students deepen their specialization. Students gain extensive laboratory experience, learn how to conduct experiments, and write reports in preparation for their graduation thesis research projects.

The laboratory is equipped with cutting-edge inspection equipment and X-ray measurement devices donated by companies—an unusually high-level research environment for a university. In Applied Chemistry, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons are devoted entirely to experiments. With preparation and reporting included, it makes for a demanding daily schedule.

The Quantum Computing Center houses computers capable of simulating phenomena such as chemical reactions with speed and computational power surpassing those of supercomputers. Keio Science and Technology is the only institution in Asia with a hub providing access to IBM Q, an actual quantum computer developed by IBM.

The Manufacturing Center, used primarily by students in Mechanical Engineering and System Design Engineering, is equipped with cutting-edge tools such as laser processing machines that can precisely process metals, wood, and plastics. The center also fabricates experimental equipment on request, making it a hub for advanced manufacturing.

The tour concluded with a visit to the Yagami Campus 50th Anniversary Wall Art in the lobby of Building 34, where students and faculty illustrated their visions of the Future Campus through art. The mural conveys the passion of Keio’s science and technology students.

After the campus tour, the visiting students joined a roundtable discussion with current Keio students, living diverse campus lives through club activities, study abroad, and research. Divided into groups, the junior high and high school students eagerly asked questions to Keio students. Here are some of the questions raised during the session:

Q. I’ve heard STEM keeps you really busy—is the coursework tough?
You’re not constantly busy, there’s a balance to it. In the first year you’re busy with a second foreign language and liberal arts courses. In the second and third years it eases slightly, but the coursework becomes more advanced. By the fourth year, you belong to a research group and spend your days busy with research, discussions, and writing papers. It’s demanding, but very rewarding.

Q. Have you faced any difficulties being one of few women in Science and Technology?
I’ve never felt singled out for being female, whether in class or in research. Male and female students respect each other as equals. But since there are fewer women, the sense of solidarity and bonds among us may be even stronger.

Q. What’s good about the gakumon-sei (broad-based entry system)?
Since I couldn’t narrow down a field at the time of entrance exams, it was great that the gakumon-sei system let me study a wide range of areas before choosing a department in my second year. There’s also a system called gakumon-goe (cross-department transfer) that allows you to switch departments mid-course. It really gives you the environment to pursue what you truly want to study.

Q. What makes Keio’s Faculty of Science and Technology unique?
The professor’s high level of research. Many are active globally, which makes the quality and excitement of learning outstanding. Being a comprehensive university is also appealing. In your first and second years, you’re based at the Hiyoshi Campus, where there are many opportunities to interact with students from other faculties. I think this creates lots of opportunities to collaborate in the future, whether starting a business together or building connections as professionals.

The roundtable lasted over an hour and was a great success. The students left feeling inspired and excited about the prospect of their future university life.

“I like science and math, and I’m also interested in agriculture. I thought that if I went into STEM, I might be able to do research that helps future agriculture, so I decided to come today. The STUDIOs were the most fun. They made me dream bigger and discover things I want to try doing.” (8th grade)

“I love experiments, so visiting the chemistry labs and the Manufacturing Center was really exciting. The university students guided us with care, and I had a wonderful time.” (10th grade)

“I was amazed at the various kinds of research conducted at the university. I felt like the freedom here really suits me. At university, I want to meet many different people and discover what I can do.” (11th grade)

“I joined this event because I wanted to share how glad I am to have chosen Keio Science and Technology. Thinking back to my own exam days, I gained advice about carefully choosing the right university and faculty” (Mechanical Engineering, 2nd year).

“I wanted participants to feel excited about university, not just about exam preps. Since entering Keio Science and Technology, my interests and dreams have continued to expand. I’d be glad if I could share that sense of joy” (Applied Physics and Physico-Informatics, 3rd year).

“I shared tips on choosing a university and exam preparation that I wished I had known back in high school. Keio University’s appeal is its people, its diverse students and many respected professors. I hope this will help participants in choosing a university”. (Chemistry, Master’s 1st year)

Associate Professor Tomoko Shimizu (Department of Applied Physics and Physico-Informatics) × Professor Kenjiro Takemura (Department of Mechanical Engineering)
We interviewed the professors who organized Girls Meet STEM.

Shimizu: When I was a student, women in STEM were often treated as rare. But today, female students are treated as equals, and their excellence and potential are fully recognized. That’s why, three years ago, we launched this event to support girls aspiring to STEM. For the past two years, it has been held with the cooperation of the Yamada Shintaro D&I Foundation.

Takemura: At Keio Science and Technology, women make up about 20–30 percent of the student body. They have the same opportunities as male students, but there are still some female students and parents who worry, “Will it really be okay as a woman?”

Shimizu: We want to break down that barrier. The world is calling for DEI, and research is no different. When people of diverse backgrounds come together, new discoveries and ideas emerge. In that sense, women in STEM can make major contributions to the advancement of science and technology in Japan and globally.

Takemura: Becoming a faculty member made me realize the importance of Keio’s spirit of Hangaku Hankyō (“learning while teaching, teaching while learning”). Our job is to teach students, but we also learn a great deal from their diverse ideas and questions.

Shimizu: That’s what’s great about Keio! We don’t hold students’ hands every step of the way. We support them in thinking for themselves and finding their own answers. To do this, we want to provide opportunities where students can gain diverse experiences and collaborate with many kinds of people. Going forward, we hope to share the appeal of Keio Science and Technology with even more people.