Grade 6 Tottori Field Trip

Our grade 6 students embarked on an incredibly enriching overnight field trip to Tottori on October 27-28, fulfilling the school's commitment to inquiry-based learning in local and global contexts. The two-day journey provided essential curricular connections, challenging students with tasks linking their I&S unit (on world religions, globalization, culture, and identity) and their Science unit (What causes Earth’s surface to change?).

Day One: Sand, Art, and Geology

The adventure began at the world-famous Tottori Sand Dunes, which stretch for about 16 kilometers along the Sea of Japan. These massive, shifting formations—up to 50 meters high—were created over 100,000 years by sediment carried by the Sendai River and sculpted by coastal winds. As the students bravely climbed to the highest dune, despite a windy day, they completed their science tasks firsthand, observing the powerful forces that change the Earth's surface. Next, the class visited the phenomenal Tottori Sand Museum, the world's first permanent indoor exhibition dedicated to sand art. The students were truly astounded by the level of detail in the massive, te

mporary sculptures created by international artists, using only sand and water. The museum's concept, Travel Around the World in Sand, offered a cultural and global perspective for their I&S unit. After a full day of inquiry, the group settled into the Sennentei Hotel for dinner and team-building games.

Day Two: Manga, Pears, and Identity

Day two shifted focus to culture and local industry. The class explored the Gosho Aoyama Manga Factory, a popular museum dedicated to the creator of the globally famous Detective Conan series. The students found the exhibits interesting and stimulating, experiencing the world of manga in the author's birthplace. They then visited the Nashiko Fruit Parlor (part of the Tottori Nijisseiki Pear Museum, Japan's only pear-themed museum). Students explored the history and cultivation of the local 20th Century Pear, a unique experience the students found very informative and a great connection to local culture and economics. They may have even enjoyed a taste of Tottori's signature fruit! The trip successfully fostered better connections among students and teachers, emphasizing effective teamwork and collaboration as a key IB tenet. The Grade 6 class returned with cherishable memories and a deeper, real-world understanding of their academic units.