The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) will participate in the “Science Expo: Connecting Me and the Future,” held at the Osaka-Kansai Expo venue from August 14 to August 19, 2025.
This event brings together over 20 universities and research institutions, showcasing cutting-edge research across four thematic zones: “Connecting with Myself,” “Connecting with Others,” “Connecting with Society,” and “Connecting with the Earth.” OIST’s exhibit will be featured in the “Connecting with Myself” zone.
Under the theme “A Connected World: The Role of Biodiversity in Human Well-being,” the exhibition explores the vital relationship between biodiversity and human health. While biodiversity is widely recognized for its role in maintaining ecological balance, its influence on physical and emotional well-being remains underappreciated.
The exhibit introduces the link between biodiversity and human health, along with environmental monitoring efforts that help track biodiversity.
Guided by virtual reality and immersive natural soundscapes, participants will journey through both underwater and terrestrial environments. These rich audio-visual experiences highlight the beauty and diversity of our ecosystems.
At OIST Sonic Lab, researchers study how these soundscapes affect us physically and emotionally. By using motion capture cameras in open public spaces, they observe subtle changes in body language that indicate stress or relaxation, revealing how deeply sound influences us.
To the next generation, we hope this exhibit offers insight into how environmental sounds impact the body and mind. By experiencing nature firsthand and sharing what you’ve learned, we invite you to consider how we can all contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Event Details
• Dates: August 14 (Thu) – August 19 (Tue), 2025
• Location: Osaka-Kansai Expo Venue, EXPO Messe WASSE
• Zone: “Connecting with Myself” – OIST Booth
This exhibition is partially supported by the Japan Science and Technology Agency’s (JST) Program on “Open Innovation Platform for Academia-Industry Co-Creation” (COI-NEXT).
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AloJapan.com