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At the Space Education for All Working Group session of the 30th Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF-30), held in November 2024, National Central University (NCU) of Taiwan presented the outcomes of the Kirara Science Program which is provided by Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation (JAMSS). This extracurricular program offers students the opportunity to participate in space experiments and was implemented in Taiwan for the first time in 2023. During the session, Distinguished Professor Loren Chang of NCU highlighted the program’s outcomes, challenges, and key insights that serve as valuable references for other nations and educational organizations planning to adopt similar initiatives.

Kirara device, carrying experimental samples and photos of Taiwanese students, floats inside the ISS.

Kirara Science Program Overview
The Kirara Science Program is an extracurricular program themed around space and pharmaceutical research, where middle and high school students engage in protein crystallization experiments conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Developed by JAMSS astronaut training experts, the program launched in Japan in 2021. Participants experience the same processes as professional researchers conducting space experiments and learn how the microgravity environment in space enhances scientific research.

40 participating high school students and program staff (at National Central University)

[Left]: Condition evaluation experiment kit; [Center and Right]: Scenes from the condition evaluation experiment.

In Taiwan, the program ran from September 2023 to March 2024, with 40 high school students from the Taoyuan City area taking part. Divided into teams of four, the students conducted ground-based experiments to determine optimal conditions for protein crystallization. The selected samples were then sent to the ISS, where crystals formed over approximately one month. The samples were returned to Taiwan, where students analyzed their structures using X-ray crystallography in collaboration with the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (NSRRC). The program concluded with students presenting their findings, deepening their interest in space exploration and expanding their knowledge of natural sciences and biochemistry.

A lecture on space experiments and the International Space Station.

Key Challenges and Solutions in Taiwan
During the presentation, specific challenges encountered during the program's implementation and corresponding solutions were shared, including:
 
１．Low Awareness of Space Utilization

• With limited prior exposure to space experiments in Taiwan, additional lectures and facility tours were conducted to build foundational knowledge.

２．Lack of Technical and Human Resources

• Specialized knowledge and facilities required for microgravity experiments were insufficient, prompting collaboration with NCU and NSRRC for expert guidance.

３．Funding Acquisition

• Financial support from Taiwan's Ministry of Education, local government, and industry partners helped cover the costs of the space experiments.

４．Language and Cultural Barriers

• Japanese materials were translated and adapted to suit local needs with the help of translation services.

Excerpt from Presentation Slides

Authored by Loren C. Chang, Yi-ChiungHsu, and Chun-Jung Chen: “Adoption of the Kirara STEAM Protein Crystallization Program for Space Education and Capacity Building in Taiwan” Presented on November 26, 2024, at the SE4A Working Group during APRSAF-30.

Future Prospects
The Kirara Science Program has proven significant in fostering space education and capacity-building for microgravity experiments in Taiwan. Participants expressed enthusiasm, with comments such as “I want to attend because I am very interested in astronomy,” and “What attracted me was doing an experiment in space and the biomedical aspects. The interdisciplinary aspect is new to me and worth exploring.”
However, challenges like cost and operational sustainability remain for ongoing implementation. JAMSS aims to leverage lessons from the program to support other countries and educational organizations in adopting space education initiatives.
As one of the few programs offering direct engagement with cutting-edge technologies taught by experts in the field, including JAMSS personnel with experience in the human spaceflight industry, the Kirara Science Program continues to meet the diverse needs of students eager to explore the latest advancements in space research. Through its presentation at APRSAF, JAMSS hopes to inspire others and expand the potential of space education globally.
 
 
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　　Kirara For Education/Promotion
 
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