by Jonathan Day

    TOKYO, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- It's just before 2 p.m., and Japan's beloved humanoid robot ASIMO is about to show up. At the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, known locally as Miraikan, in Tokyo's Odaiba district, a lot of activities are going on.

    There, scores of "bright yellow caps" -- Japanese elementary school children -- were dashing to the ASIMO display area. They were anxiously waiting for ASIMO's arrival, while jostling among each other for a better view.

　　SCIENCE CAN HEAL THE WORLD

    "We bring the children from grades five and six here twice a year, as they learn so much from the hands-on displays, presentations and guides," said Miyuki Yamagishi, a teacher from Kumagaya Nishi Elementary School in Tokyo's neighboring Saitama.

    "We try to teach them that this is their world, their universe; it belongs to them, and they should be proud of and take care of it as individuals, as a group, as a society and as a nation of global citizens," she said.

    Megumi Kano, who was one of the enthusiastic school students visiting the national museum, told Xinhua: "Today I learned that science is really important for our future, and scientists can make new inventions that can help our universe.

    "I'd love to go to space one day like Mr. Mohri," she said with a beaming face.

    Dr. Mamoru Mohri, Japan's first astronaut, ignited the imaginations of tens of thousands of Japanese with his adventures in space in 1992 and 2000. He is now the director of the national museum.

    As a father of three children, Mohri said he wished to inspire a whole new generation of people who are interested in science.

    "Kids are always interested in something new. However, schools have to teach principles -- the fundamentals of science -- and sometimes the kids feel such a traditional type of science is boring," he said. "If we can show them something that interests them, then we can support the basic learnings in a more interesting way."

    Miraikan could teach children about how fragile the earth is and how to be environmentally responsible citizens and spread the message to others, he added.

Special report: Global News Day for Children