2016.02.09
The SFC Disaster Prevention and Social Design Study Group (supervised by Associate Professor Satoko Okie, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies) won the Excellence Award in the university student division of the 2015 Bosai Koshien (sponsored by Hyogo Prefecture, the Mainichi Shimbun, and the Hyogo Earthquake Memorial 21st Century Research Institute).
Bosai Koshien has been held since the 2005 academic year to recognize advanced activities related to "disaster preparedness education" proactively undertaken by children and students in their schools and communities. It aims to promote "disaster preparedness education" that reflects on the threat of nature, the preciousness of life, and the importance of living together—lessons learned from the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake—and to help build a safe and secure society for the future. In the 2015 academic year, there were 117 entries from across the country, including 16 in the university student division.
Comment from Associate Professor Satoko Okie, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, SFC Disaster Prevention and Social Design Study Group
When we thought about disaster preparedness content that would enable kindergarteners—who, unlike elementary school students, spend much of their time in environments without desks—to protect their own lives during an earthquake, the result was a fun song and dance. This is the "Dangomushi no Pōzu" (Pill Bug Pose): protect your head, curl up your body, and point your bottom away from danger. The "Jishin Dangomushi Taiso" (Earthquake Pill Bug Exercise), devised by the students, is already being performed in many kindergartens, nursery schools, and elementary schools.
Eventually, we added the "Saru no Pōzu" (Monkey Pose) for situations with desks or tables and the "Araiguma no Pōzu" (Raccoon Pose) for fires. Games and relays were also developed to help children assess the situation and perform the correct pose.
This is the result of the students' research, which identified the problem that a single, one-size-fits-all pose cannot save lives and sought a solution. They have repeatedly visited kindergartens and schools to practice and refine the exercises, developing them to the point of social implementation. I am delighted to have received the Excellence Award at "Bosai Koshien," one of the most famous awards in the field of disaster preparedness, and I am proud of the students in the study group. This is disaster preparedness content that I could never have created on my own.
To protect every life from any earthquake. With this commitment in mind, we will continue to strive in both research and practice.
Jishin Dangomushi Taiso (Satoko Okie's Website)
Satoko Okie Study Group Website (SFC Disaster Prevention and Social Design Study Group)
Published by: General Affairs (Public Relations) Section, Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC) Office