In the 4.0 era, it is no secret that technology has the power to disrupt industries and change the world for good. But great technology has to start somewhere.

“Seeds to discovery lies in the simple things around us,” said Dr Kihoko Tokue who comes with a background in the field of behavioural science, and is the Managing Director of Leave a Nest Singapore, in a recent interview with e27.

Leave a Nest was founded by a group of visionaries that included 15 graduate students in Japan in 2001, who set out on a path to solve real global challenges with Science. Today, the company has a global presence with subsidiaries in Singapore, Malaysia, the UK, and the US. 

The ethos of Leave a Nest lies in the thought of “turning everyday wonder into scientific adventure” for education.

To add to that, Dr Tokue believes that observations lead to inquiry and questions that may eventually lead to great ideas and that some life-changing technologies come from a need to answer a question or solve a problem.

Also read: Looking back and moving forward: Leave a Nest at 20

A great example of this is the discovery of electricity. 2,500 years ago, a Greek mathematician and philosopher named Thales discovered the basic principle of static electricity when he rubbed a rod made of amber. Thales observed that due to static electricity caused by friction, matters like solidified amber could attract tiny objects such as dust and specks. Through observation and experimentation, 16th century mathematicians were able to figure out the difference between magnetism and electricity, ultimately leading to the modern day application of electricity.

In line with this idea of encouraging observations that lead to questions and eventually to innovation, Leave a Nest has launched the ONE Earth Programme. The programme seeks to nurture and strengthen the curiosity and inquisitive mind that is already present in children, with the goal of helping ignite their curiosity in their surroundings which prepares them for a future of innovation and solving problems.

The NEST methodology and the ONE Earth Programme

Dr Tokue strongly believes in and promotes a unique NEST methodology of education. “NEST stands for Nature, Engineering, Science and Technology. When we try to organise our learnings from nature, it becomes Science and when we apply efficient applications to Science it becomes engineering and technology. Our emphasis is the importance of understanding the foundation of science and technology, which comes from nature and engineering,” she explained

“We want future generations to embrace the foundation and root of things so they will not become a mere user of science and technology,” she added. 

In 2020, Dr Tokue came up with the idea of the ONE Earth programme. Born out of the need for an online nature education (ONE) programme during the pandemic, ONE Earth was born. “We were looking at online parties due to the pandemic and subsequent movement restrictions. Plus, we thought having an online programme, it will be easier to tap into the city youth living in urban places like Singapore and Tokyo,” she said. 

The programme couldn’t have come at a better time when the world was gradually realising the importance of sustainability and our dependence on Mother Nature. Now, in 2022, as the pandemic is nearing its end, ONE Earth is evolving into a hybrid programme in that there are online as well as onsite versions.

Also read: Deep tech startups gain multi-pronged support from Leave a Nest

“Being out in actual nature can never be replicated even with VR,” believes Dr Tokue. “However, not all of us can actually go out there due to multiple reasons- it can be lack of resources, health issues and so on. Hence, the online version gives everyone an opportunity to be a part of this programme,” she explained. One of the key elements of the programme is for the young generation to understand that human beings are very much a part of nature. At the core, we are animals too- just more evolved.

In the early 1980s, Harvard University biologist Edward O. Wilson proposed a theory called biophilia. This theory supported the idea that human beings are instinctively drawn toward their natural surroundings. However, most 21st century parents might question this theory, as they watch their kids express a clear preference for being in front of a screen for hours over playing outside. As such, Dr Tokue explains that she advocates nature but in no way shuns the power of technology. Instead, she encourages combining the power of technology and the potential of nature together. 

“I hope ONE Earth can be the first point of contact for the younger generation with nature- whether they are open to come onsite or join us from the comfort of their homes. As long as they have this opportunity to explore their options and feed their curiosity towards nature, our job is done,” said Dr Tokue.

Keen focus on micro-organisms, fermentation, and robotics

The programme focuses on three main topics: micro-organisms, fermentation, and robotics. Lectures as well as hands-on experiences on these subjects will be conducted to give students insights into how these subjects apply in our day-to-day lives. For example: how microorganisms can be used in the cosmetics industry or how robotics is changing the world slowly.

“Our focus is to orient their approach towards a more scientific one while showing them how nature inspires initial ideas that may lead to innovation,” shared Dr Tokue.

There is a dire need for workshops and programmes that remind kids and teenagers about observing the beauty of the nature and surroundings around us. This is where the Leave a Nest’s ONE Earth programme comes in.

Also read: Seeding ideas, nurturing explorations with Leave a Nest Grant

Welcoming 13 to 15-year-olds, the ONE Earth programme focuses on first-hand experience and output for learning. The programme is developed to help build the exploration and observation mindset in the younger generation. By joining the workshop, participating students will learn about scientific approaches and different forms of knowledge about each topic. Leave a Nest limits the size of participants to cultivate close communication and care for each student. There will be 1 teaching assistant per 4 students.

Interested participants can either join individual workshops or can choose to join all three in sequence or at a later time. Each workshop has a maximum capacity of 16 pax.

With the ONE Earth programme, Leave a Nest seeks to nurture future leaders that are not afraid to ask questions and repeatedly look for solutions for real-world problems by leveraging knowledge and harnessing the power of inquiring minds that may one day turn into a knowledge of Science and Technology.

Learn more about the programme here and register here. 

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This article is produced by the e27 team, sponsored by Leave a Nest

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