01openalex2026-10-08Yoshiaki Kunieda, Emi Kanayama, Ayano Oka, Mizuki SaitoDOI ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Creative Education Utilising a Newly Built Training Vessel: A Proposal for PBL Utilising the Marine Research Equipment on Board the Training Vessel Wakashio-maru (opens in a new tab)
The *Wakashio-maru*, a new training vessel for the National Institute of Technology, Toyama College, was completed in March 2026 and operates in Toyama Bay’s deep-sea areas. Equipped with advanced marine research instruments, it supports hands-on education where students collect and analyze real-world data on water quality, ocean currents, and marine life. The vessel facilitates project-based learning (PBL) focused on regional challenges like marine conservation, fisheries sustainability, and coastal community issues. This approach aims to develop students’ problem-solving skills, creativity, and ability to generate innovative solutions using inquiry-based methods.