"Beach Cleanup × Learning" event held with Student SDGs Promoters

July 18, 2025

On Saturday, June 21, a "Beach Cleanup x Learning" event was held at Nozumi Beach in Nagaoka City as part of our activities to promote and raise awareness of the SDGs among the general public.

This was the sixth cleanup event held by our university in cooperation with Non-profit Organization "Lily & Marry's" and Teradomari Youth Group "Hane". The event was designed to provide an opportunity to learn about the ocean, science, and engineering while cleaning the beach. In addition to participants from the university, mainly student SDGs Promoters, the event was attended by students and teachers from Fukasawa Elementary School and local residents. The event was well attended, with approximately 120 participants.

On the day of the event, following the opening celemony by Lily & Marry's, the participants picked up trash on the beach, separating it according to local trash disposal rules. In addition to plastic bottles and other plastic products, the participants also collected used batteries and spray cans. One of the students from Fukasawa Elementary School was surprised that there were a lot of microplastic on the beach.

Before and after the beach cleanup, the participants learned about the ocean, science, engineering, and manufacturing through hands-on activities, such as making magnetic slimes and launching hydrogen-powered rockets. In the experiment launching hydrogen-powered rockets, participants deepened their understanding of the SDGs while having fun. This was achieved by utilizing hydrogen energy as the propellant, which is environmentally friendly because it doesn't emit CO2, a cause of global warming.

Going forward, we will continue to plan SDGs-related events and seminars and conduct activities to promote and raise awareness of the SDGs in cooperation with various organizations and local residents. We appreciate your continued understanding and support of our university's SDGs activities.

 Note: The experiment involving the launch of the hydrogen-powered rockets was conducted with utmost attention to safety management, under the direct supervision of the faculty member in charge. The rockets were first embedded and stabilized in the sand on the beach before launch.