JAPAN VISIT2009: We have just spent a week at the Ritsumeikan High School and University in Kyoto, Japan attending the seventh Ritsumeikan Super Science Fair. This is an opportunity for students from all over the world to come together and present their work to one another.

We presented a particle physics project (undertaken at Lancaster University) at the Ritsumeikan High School to an audience of other students and teachers. We also displayed a poster in the poster exhibition, we were able to view the research carried out by the other students which was very interesting and we found the other projects fascinating.
We worked together with other students to build solar powered boats using new solar panels designed by one of the University Lecturers. This was a great way to make friends with other students and to learn more about the future of solar power. We also visited SANYO's 315 metre long solar ark, a very impressive structure dominating the landscape of Gifu. Here we learnt more about the future of solar power and how by covering just 4% of the world's deserts with solar panels we could power the world. Afsara visited the National Institute for Fusion Science where she discovered the huge importance of fusion as a possible power source as global warming increases and fossil fuels run out.
During the week we also experienced Japanese culture including calligraphy, sumo wrestling and traditional dance. We also visited the beautiful Kiyomizu Temple, a legacy from when Kyoto was the capital of Japan. Our Japanese buddies took us to down town Kyoto where we shopped and sampled traditional Japanese cuisine. We had an amazing time meeting with students from across the globe and we will never forget this fantastic experience.

Y Kim, H Martlew and A Ahmmed