MACHIDA, Japan: In a significant move, Aramco Asia Japan (AAJ) and the non-profit organization ‘Code for Everyone’ have forged a partnership to champion STEAM education in public junior high and high schools in fiscal 2024.

STEAM Education is an approach to learning that uses science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics as access points to guide student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking.

This pioneering project is poised to transform the landscape of STEAM education in public middle and high schools in Japan. It will not only equip 5,000 students with free hardware teaching materials but also empower them to develop skills and solve problems through practical learning, paving the way for a more innovative and critical-thinking future generation.

The kick-off ceremony was attended by 12 students from Minami Naruse Junior High School, educators, AAJ Representative Director Abdullah Jastaniah, Director of Code for Everyone and Saudi Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Faisal S Binzagr.

“Based on the idea that the real value of energy lies in being able to contribute to people’s progress and development, ‘Aramco STEAM Challenge’ reflects our goal of fostering innovation and critical thinking in youth,” AAJ Representative Director Jastaniah said.

“Through our partnership with Code for Everyone, we aim to inspire students with a passion for science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics and acquire the skills they need to be active in the future. This collaboration is in full alignment with the goals of the Global Citizenship Strategy at Aramco.”

Code for Everyone Director TONEGAWA Yuta highlighted the pressing need for information education throughout Japan and underscored some of the challenges schools in Japan are grappling with, including difficulties in developing guidance, a lack of professionalism of teachers, and a shortage of teaching materials and reference materials.

“In particular, it is difficult to prepare hardware materials necessary for practical learning in public schools,” he said. “Through the signing of our partnership with AAJ, we hope it will provide students with classes where they can demonstrate their creativity independently.”

Aramco Asia Japan (AAJ) is the Japanese subsidiary of Saudi Arabian comprehensive energy and chemical company Aramco.