On October 21 and 22, 2020, Okazaki Plant provided remote classes to the students from Iwazu Junior High School in Okazaki City via a web conference system.
The plant accepts junior high school students for their company learning visits every year. However, since Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) is currently refraining from accepting student visits in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection, the plant offered remote classes to the students this time.
Remote classes to learn the three topics below were provided to the students over two days:
1. About MMC and the meaning of working
Lecturer: Yasunori Suganuma, Manager of Development Generalization Dept., Okazaki Plant
2. Workshop where students give shape to his/her own image with clay
Lecturer: Kotaro Uemura, Clay Modeler of Design Management Dept., Okazaki Plant
3. Workshop where students develop a car by considering how many and which major components* should be provided in what type of car.
Major components: engines, lithium batteries, fuel tanks, motors, etc.
Lecturer: Makoto Kamihira, Manager of Project Development Management Dept., Okazaki Plant
Throughout the two days, the participants talked to each other over the screen, and the students were able to share their works with the camera and present their thoughts and ideas a lot.
■ Feedback from the student participated in the remote classes
It was a very valuable experience for me because I was able to share my thoughts and ideas with my classmates and get advice from the lecturers. I also learned how hard it is to work, knowing that concentration and imagination are necessary for working. I was surprised that it takes many years to complete a car. At the same time, I became interested in car manufacturing as I knew that MMC employees are making efforts in their own tasks to ensure that customers can drive safely without worry and also for customers' smiles.