Developing STEAM Educational Materials that Combine Advanced Technology and Traditional Cultural Properties

In today’s rapidly changing world, the Japanese government has defined future society as “Society 5.0” and is promoting various measures to realize it. Among these measures, STEAM education has received increased attention as a means of human resource development. However, as these new educational measures are being promoted, Japan as a whole is facing a declining population, and in particular, rural areas are facing a significant decline in the number of children, creating crucial challenges for these communities. In this study, we collaborated with the Kui History and Folklore Museum in the Kui region of Mihara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, which is experiencing depopulation, to develop educational materials and conduct lessons using STEAM education to address the issues of a shortage of successors and declining interest and engagement among young people in traditional culture. Specifically, traditional Hiroshima Prefecture cultural properties known as “seasonal clay dolls” were digitized using a 3D scanner, and “modern style clay dolls” were created using digital painting and projected onto a screen. We conducted a workshop using the developed educational materials and verified whether children in the elementary and secondary education stages residing in Hiroshima Prefecture were able to learn about the merits of the Kui region and the workshop foster their sensibilities and creativity.