Activity Report: Ama Town Board of Education New Employee Training Workshop

Organised by the Board of Education, the induction training was a half-day programme designed for teachers returning to Ama Town for the first time or after a long absence, allowing them to experience the charms of Oki and Ama Town from a Geopark perspective. The first half consisted of a lecture, whilst the second half involved practical fieldwork, during which participants visited several different areas.

 

Event date and time: June 26, 2025, from 13:30 to 16:00

Event location: The Islander Hall, Ama Town (various areas: Akiya Coast, Mt. Kinkōji, Oki Shrine)

Target audience: Ama Town Nursery School / Oyama no Kyōshitsu, elementary schools (Ama Elementary, Fukui Elementary), middle school (Ama Middle School), high school (Shimane Prefectural Oki Dōzen High School) teachers; teachers who are new to the island as of Spring 2025; adult ‘Island Exchange Students’; individuals connected to the Ama Town Board of Education, etc.

Event host: Ama Town Board of Education

Event lecturers: Representative speaker: Mr. Osada Tatsuki (Oki Geopark Management Bureau)

Management support: Ms. Takahashi, Ms. Terada Masami

Workshop contents:

1. Overview introduction: “What is the Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark?” and “An introduction to the speaker dispatch system”
2. Dōzen inspection tour: Promoting understanding of teaching materials available in the Dōzen area
3. Q&A session and exchange of views on future collaboration, etc.

Content Summary

①What the Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark is / what the lecturer dispatch system is →

Oki Geopark is a place where we learn about the Earth’s past through its geology and topography, contemplate its future, and take action.

“What is Oki Geopark?”

Oki Geopark is a landscape woven from the majestic land and unique ecosystem created by the isolated islands of the Sea of Japan, combined with human activity. It was designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2013, with re-certification confirmed for 2025.

“What is Daisen-Oki National Park?”

Designated: 1 February 1936 (Showa 11)

Municipalities involved: 5 cities, 11 towns, 2 villages

 

“What is the Oki Geopark Management Bureau?”

“What is the (free) lecturer dispatch scheme?”

② Dōzen Inspection Tour

Enhancing understanding of learning materials in the Dōzen region – spanning the entirety of Ama Town

・Akiya Coast: Why is it red?

1. A) Because the remains of living creatures have accumulated there
2. B) Because it has oxidised
3. C) Because the original lava is red

・Mt. Kinkōji: Why are there plains in Ama Town?

・Oki Shrine: Which of the following became part of Oki’s unique culture due to its connection with Emperor Go-Toba?

1. Tug-of-war
2. Kinnya Monnya
3. Bull Sumo

・It has been over 800 years since Emperor Go-Toba was exiled to Oki. Why, in the first place, was he exiled there? What is said to have life been like here? We introduced topics such as the compilation of the Shin Kokin Wakashū and the poems composed in the ‘Entō Hyakushu’.

 

③ Q&A session and exchange of views on future collaboration, etc.

We received a variety of positive feedback, including: “It was interesting to be able to view Ama Town from the perspective of the Geopark”, “I definitely want to make use of this in my lessons”, and “I’d like to come back here with my students”.

Throughout the event, thanks to everyone’s active participation with the numerous quizzes, the proceedings took place in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere from start to finish. We were able to foster exchanges that transcended organisational boundaries, making for a very fulfilling workshop.

We intend to continue our activities with a focus on ongoing networking to pursue future collaborative efforts. We would like to sincerely thank all participants for taking the time to engage in our workshop despite their busy schedules.

 

References

Various educational programmes offered by our organisation: Educational Programmes | Oki Islands UNESCO Global Geopark