Environmental Activities

The inaugural Japan study trip was organized for the winning team of each category (Primary Schools Category and Secondary Schools Category) of the Panasonic-NEA Environment Champions Project Competition (ECPC) 2010. The trip was held from 9 to 15 December 2010, with a total of seven participants namely five students and two teachers.

About ECIM and ECPC

The Environment Champions Industry Module (ECIM) is a partnership between Panasonic and the Singapore National Environment Agency (NEA) fostered in January this year. This programme is the first-of-its-kind experiential learning programme that aims to raise environmental awareness amongst Singaporean students. Throughout the year, a total of six sessions will be held (three sessions each for primary and secondary schools Environment Champions) at Panasonic ‘eco ideas’ Factory, Panasonic Refrigeration Devices Singapore Pte. Ltd. (PRDS).

The Environment Champions Project Competition (ECPC) was initiated together with ECIM to further challenge students to apply what they have learnt from ECIM. 18 secondary schools and 11 primary schools participated in the inaugural ECPC which required participants to develop environmental outreach projects based on the 3Rs - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle which they can implement within and outside their schools.

Participants of the Trip

Primary Schools Category: Si Ling Primary School
Secondary Schools Category: Raffles Institution

In this study trip, the students and teachers first visited Panasonic Center, ‘eco ideas’ House, RiSuPia (Panasonic Digital Network Museum) in Tokyo. In these places, they were able to learn about the latest technology and products such as the virtual zero CO₂ emissions for the entire house which helps us realize a green lifestyle. As the annual Eco Products Exhibition was also held in Tokyo at the same time, the participants also visited our Panasonic booth and learnt how our energy solutions can also be applied in towns, convenience stores and factories. The students also experienced our solar technology in the eco learning programme at the exhibition.

Besides Tokyo, visits to our ‘eco ideas’ Factory Biwako and Panasonic Eco Technology Center were also arrange for the students and teachers to understand our ‘eco ideas’ for Business-styles and latest recycling technologies for end-of-life products.

Apart from visiting Panasonic facilities, another highlight of the study trip is the exchange programme at Kasanuihigashi Elementary School in the Shiga Prefecture. Visiting students from Singapore first presented their winning projects namely cool contour tables made from recycled materials and making paper from organic materials. Students of the Kasanuihigashi Elementary School also explained their environmental activities to us. The programme ended with the planting of an orange osmanthus tree (kimmokusei) in the school compound.

Overall, the students enjoyed themselves and were appreciative of this rare learning opportunity. The Panasonic-NEA Environment Champions Project Competition will be held as an annual activity and we look forward to nurture and develop more environment champions and contribute to a greener future.