Future Design Shibuya and Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP) will hold an event for children in Shibuya Ward at the "Mirai Library", a third place for children to live, under the subsidy of the Nippon Foundation. Metaverse Work Experience Program" workshop was held from May 10th (Wednesday) to 11th (Thursday), 2023.
In order to explore the possibility of developing the virtual space of the Internet "Metaverse", this workshop will serve as a community model for a "children's third home" where children from various environments will come together to express their interest in the future, empathy, We collaborated with DNP as a hands-on learning program for the Mirai Library, a community support project that aims to improve the ability to survive.
Workshop background and main features
Since DNP, Future Design Shibuya, and Miyashita Park Partners built the virtual space "Shibuya Ward Miyashita Park Powered by PARALLEL SITE" in 2021, various projects such as mystery solving events and art exhibitions have been implemented. We are promoting the utilization of the Metaverse. This time, in order to examine the possibility of utilizing the Metaverse in the field of education, we held a workshop for children to experience the work of familiar "clerks". Through creating an original store on the Metaverse and experiencing customer service, we nurtured children's curiosity and creativity, and stimulated their interest in the fun of creating new value in the Metaverse and careers such as customer service and sales.
Fifteen elementary school students participated in this workshop. On the first day, May 10th (Wednesday), in addition to the design of the original store that you will open in the Metaverse space, you will be able to create your own original products to be displayed in the store, such as PET bottles for drinks and tote bags. I did. On the second day, May 11 (Thursday), fixtures were set up in the store in the Metaverse space, and the products created on the first day were displayed. experience.
The children participated in the workshop with a positive attitude, and there were comments such as "It was fun to create an original store" and "I wish I had spent more time working on it." The operator of the "Mirai Library" community support project commented, "It was a good experience for the children to come into contact with cutting-edge digital technology like the Metaverse."
What is the “Children’s Third Place: Mirai Library” base?
"Mirai no Library" is a community model for children's third place where they belong. Mainly for elementary school students, in addition to homework support, creative programs that utilize various digital tools, social education, experiments, and experiences from the perspective of SDGs. It is a regional support project that provides learning programs and aims to increase interest in the future, empathy, and the ability to survive.
What is "the third place for children"?
The Nippon Foundation plays a central role in 2016 with the aim of nurturing the ability to survive in an environment where children can spend their time with peace of mind, such as self-affirmation, the ability to relate to people and society, lifestyle habits, and study habits, in order to become independent in the future. It has been open all over the country since last year. At the same time, we will work with schools, communities, and specialized institutions to function as a hub for a “regional child-rearing community where no one is left behind.” Currently, there are 152 locations nationwide, and we aim to open 500 locations nationwide by fiscal 2025. (as of March 2023)
https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/what/projects/child-third-place
