[For High School Students] Biwako Museum to Host First 'Summer Diatom Camp'

Overview Biwako Museum will host its first 3-day diatom research camp, "Let's Observe Familiar Diatoms – Summer Diatom Camp in Biwako Museum," for high school students from Saturday, July 25 to Monday, July 27, Reiwa 8 (2026). This summer, why not use the microscopes at Biwako Museum to study familiar diatoms? Over a 2-night, 3-day camp, you can thoroughly learn everything from diatom collection to sample processing, observation, identification, and report writing. Upon completing this camp, you too will be a diatom expert! Diatom image photo ■ Details Date and Time: Saturday, July 25, 2026, 13:00 – Monday, July 27, 17:00 Location: Biwako Museum Seminar Room (Day 1), Training Room 1 (Days 2 and 3) *Participants will stay at the Biwako Museum Annex accommodation facility (accommodation fee is free). Target Audience: High school students who wish to master diatomology Capacity: 8 people (If there are many applicants, a lottery will be held) Instructors: Taisuke Otsuka (Chief Curator, Biwako Museum; President, Japanese Society of Diatomology) Shigeki Mayama (Professor Emeritus, Tokyo Gakugei University; Former President, Japanese Society of Diatomology) Kenichiro Ishii (Representative Director, SeedBank Co., Ltd.) Ken Negoro (Special Researcher, Biwako Museum) What to Bring: Diatom samples collected in advance (collection tools will be sent to successful applicants), writing utensils, laptop (tablet acceptable), lab coat, change of clothes for 2 days (comfortable clothing), toiletries *Laptops and lab coats can be borrowed if desired. Participation Fee: Free. Dinner on Day 1 and Day 2, and breakfast and lunch on Day 2 and Day 3 will be provided. *All meals are free. *If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please inform us upon selection. Application: Please apply via the "Shiga Net Reception Service" below by Wednesday, May 20. *For details, please visit the Biwako Museum website: https://www.biwahaku.jp/event/2026/07/_in_1.html This program is supported by the "Hirameki Tokimeki Science – Welcome to the University Lab KAKENHI" grant. It is also sponsored by the Japanese Society of Diatomology.