Based on an original article by Takao Hirao

A group of ten primary school children (4th to 6th graders) will experience being “Maritime Museum Children Directors” this summer vacation at the Maritime Science Museum.

These kids have been trained to explain the esoteric arts of reading radar scopes, describing sailing ships, identifying ship’s crew insignia, and showing peers around the various exhibits in the museum.

The ten have been trained by museum staff for a month about how to act as professional museum guides, and importantly, how to think for themselves under various circumstances.

The goal of achieving the status of “Children Museum Director” requires learning firm knowledge about the ocean while experiencing the difficulties of various tasks with the ultimate purpose of enjoying the challenges, according to museum staff.

Learning how to make a cardboard boat

The 10 young candidates were selected from among primary students in Tokyo and its suburban schools. The kids did their training on 4 weekends and on national holidays.

The criteria for selection included 1) taking a full tour of the museum, 2) expressing a keen interest in the exhibits, 3) ability to write up their own exhibit talks, 4) actually practicing the talks with peers, 5) modifying their talks where necessary, and 6) experiencing the challenge of going for a ride in a sea kayak, and making a boat from cardboard.

“Children Museum Director” candidate explains the art of sailing ships

On the actual rehearsal day, the white sailor cap kids were required to submit homework assignments that were checked by museum staff, and had to do their prepared talks standing next to navigation equipment and actual exhibits.

The basic framework was to talk for 3 minutes next to the exhibits, but some of the kids were only able to talk for as little as a minute and others went as long as five minutes.

They were given such practical guidance as “talk a little louder,” “that’s too difficult an explanation,” and “point to the exhibit when you are speaking.”

One of the candidates uses a microphone to explain her assigned exhibit

One of the 4th grade candidates who was assigned to explain the role of radar said it took him 2 days to prepare his talk, and although it was a difficult task, he enjoyed it because he likes ships.

A sixth grader had to use a mike on the first floor of the exhibits because it was so noisy. She said it was more difficult than practicing at home, but she made it through her assignment with a smile and flashed everyone the “V” sign.

Another sixth grader smoothly explained the arrival in Japan of the famous foreign “black ships” in the 1850s, saying he would like to enroll in a maritime program related university in future.

A member of the museum staff happily noted, “The kids studied hard, and did far better than expected. We are looking forward to their actually guiding members of the public around the exhibits.”

A side view of the Museum of Maritime Science which is shaped like a ship

The candidates were officially acknowledged as “Children Directors” on Marine Day, 19 July, having successfully completed their training. They were promoted from wearing the sailor’s round, white cap to an officer’s hat and white uniform to signify their training achievements.

The candidates who successfully completed their training will give 30 minute guided mini-tours of the museum during July and August between the hours of 1 to 3 PM.

Having successfully completed the training program this year, the musum plans to continue the program next year.

Enquiries about the program can be made (in Japanese only) at 03-5500-1117, the office of the Children’s Museum of Maritime Science Section.