Free Release of the 'Anything Research Sheet' to Support Elementary Students' Inquiry Activities! 'Let’s Gather! Future Researchers Project' to Continue in 2026

After-School NPO (headquartered in Bunkyo City, Tokyo; hereinafter 'After-School NPO') and the Kurita Group (Kurita Water Industries Ltd., headquartered in Nakano City, Tokyo; hereinafter 'Kurita Group') will continue the 'Let’s Gather! Future Researchers Project' in 2026 to support elementary students' inquiry activities and will accept submissions of research outcomes.

This project supports inquiry-based learning, where children begin with everyday questions like 'Why?' or 'I wonder…' and then form their own questions, conduct investigations, and summarize their findings. Kurita Group, which contributes to sustainable society development by providing learning opportunities for future generations, and After-School NPO, which supports children's growth through after-school programs for elementary students, are collaborating to implement this initiative.

In 2026, the 'Anything Research Sheet'—a tool designed to support students from research topic selection to final report organization—will be provided free of charge on the project website. By following the guiding questions in the sheet, children can organize their thoughts, not only summarizing their research findings but also documenting their trial-and-error processes and insights gained from failures, thereby promoting self-directed inquiry.

Completed research sheets can be submitted via the 'Let’s Gather! Future Researchers Project' website. All participants will receive personalized feedback on their research from Kurita Group employees, and awardees will receive certificates. The evaluation focuses not only on research outcomes but also on each child's attitude toward challenges and unique perspectives, supporting every child's individual effort.

After-School NPO and Kurita Group aim to create opportunities for children to experience the joy and excitement of research and deepen their personal discoveries and learning through this project. They also seek to nurture the ability to shape the future through the experience of forming and exploring their own questions.

2026 'Let’s Gather! Future Researchers Project' Guidelines

・Submission Period: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 – Saturday, October 31, 2026

・Eligibility: Elementary school students across Japan (international submissions accepted if written in Japanese)

・Award Announcement: Mid-February 2026

・Participation Fee: Free

・How to Apply: Download the 'Anything Research Sheet' from the project website below and submit via the online application form.

https://npoafterschool.org/withwater-mirai-project/

・Additional Information: Feedback from Kurita Group employees and awardee announcements will be published on the official After-School NPO website, with updates also posted on the project website.

About After-School NPO

Operating under the mission 'Turn Japan’s after-school hours into golden time,' After-School NPO was incorporated in 2009. To realize safe and enriching after-school environments nationwide, it operates 'After-School' programs using school facilities. The organization focuses on creating environments where children can grow independently. It also collaborates with corporations and local governments to support facility development, staff training, and the creation of experiential opportunities at after-school programs across Japan. Together with supporters, After-School NPO continues to accelerate efforts to protect and nurture children through society-wide collaboration, striving to create richer after-school experiences for all children. (https://npoafterschool.org/)