We live in a world where answers seemingly arrive faster than questions. A world where certainty is manufactured in headlines and confidence is mistaken for truth. A world where information is abundant, but understanding is scarce. In short, the difference between knowing and merely consuming has never mattered more.
Only through the resolute discipline of questioning and refining does information earn the right to become understanding. Progress, then, does not come through revelations, but through iterative revision. An argument with our own assumptions, carried forward systematically.
This is precisely the work of academic research. And, with the advent of the Science Fair, that work is no longer confined to textbooks or external institutions here at ASIJ.
You may have seen the ASIJ Science Fair appear in the bulletin, in announcements, or on billboards across campus. While ASF may look like a typical school event, it is, in fact, an invitation to truly experience research as it is practiced beyond the classroom.
Organized by Joongi Min (’28) and Riku Ishihara (’28) under the supervision of Science Teacher Mr. Evans-Klock, ASF invites students to delve into the real academic research experience, individually or in teams, and present their findings at a school-wide fair, currently planned for a Saturday next September. ASF includes all fields, regardless of their direct correlation to STEM. Therefore, students who are unsure whether their research interest is suitable for a science fair are still encouraged to join.
ASF offers many resources that would otherwise be hard for ASIJ students to access, including lab experimentation, personal feedback from students with prior experience, and optional lectures every few weeks to provide extra insight. Most notably, students at ASF will potentially have the opportunity to receive direct feedback on their research from university professors.
Sign-ups for the ASF are available via billboards around campus, a link in the daily bulletin, and broadcast emails. For those who would like to learn more before committing, an information session will be held on select Thursdays during Flex Time in Room 104.
The ASIJ Science Fair is, at its core, an invitation to question, to investigate, and to contribute something of your own to the broader pursuit of understanding. We hope to see you there.
