The Autumn Break Children’s Campus is a collaborative event between the Sendai City Board of Education and Tohoku University’s Faculty of Engineering (now in its 18th year). Continuing from last year, the Yabukami, Kuwabata, and Aoki (Hide) laboratories hosted science-loving, craft-loving sixth graders from Sendai City for fun experiments and hands-on activities centered around medical electrical experiments. A total of 22 students participated over the two days. Joining last year’s assistants, Mr. Masiko and Mr. Kamijima, this year’s assistants included Mr. Inoue, Ms. Arakawa, Mr. Kitakaze, and Mr. Fukuoka. We conducted two experiments: one using impulse current (a sudden surge of electricity charged in a capacitor) flowing through a coil to launch a 1-yen coin, and another amplifying electromyography (EMG, electrical signals from muscles) to move a model. In the coin-launching experiment, cheers erupted each time the coin flew due to electromagnetic induction, creating a lively atmosphere. It was impressive to see participants intently watching the coils that launched coins farthest and enthusiastically trying again and again. This year’s best throw was 2m 40cm! In the experiment moving the model with EMG, the discussion about why the actual waveform amplitude differs between people really got everyone excited. After the event, we briefly toured the engineering department’s research labs. We also thank Professor Yabukami for his cooperation in facilitating the tour. (Aoki)
