[2nd Meeting] Let’s Build the Future of Yahata with “Adding Ideas”!

On July 5th (Sat), we held our second meeting!

On July 5th (Sat), we held our second meeting! Many kids and college students gathered in the meeting room, sharing ideas and having fun discussions. The meeting began with a greeting from the professor.

The Power of “Adding Ideas”

The professor's greeting:

Have you ever thought, "I wish this was better," or "This is a bit hard at school or in the community?" When that happens, the most important thing is talking together -- sharing your thoughts and listening to others.

One secret to a good talk is the idea of “adding, not subtracting.” For example, last time someone said, “Can we make something with Yahata’s bamboo?” Then another kid added, “What if we made straws? That’s eco-friendly and cool!” And that’s how the “Yawata Bamboo Straw” was born! 🎋🥤

Instead of saying “No, that won’t work,” we say, “That’s great!” and then add our own ideas. That’s how fun, creative talks happen.

Teamwork Time

Kids split into groups, used big paper and sticky notes, and started sharing thoughts about Yahata. Here’s what they came up with:

Elementary A Team: Planned a “Cook rice with bamboo shoots” event! They talked about how to get bamboo and shoots, cooking safety, cleanliness, and caring for the environment.

Elementary B Team:Discussed trash problems, how to use parks, and how to promote local products.

Elementary C Team: Wanted to make school lunch more fun! Ideas included working with local farmers, creating mascots, and making new menus.

Middle School Team: Thought about using Yahata bamboo for disaster-prevention tools while also solving the problem of abandoned bamboo forests.

High School Team: Talked about community events, disaster safety, park design, and PR for local products—thinking about how young people can help improve the town.

Tanabata Wishes & Candy Fun

Since July 7th was Tanabata, everyone wrote their wishes on colorful papers and hung them on bamboo branches. The wishes were so unique and fun to read—let’s hope they all come true!

Also, the college students brought a Konpeitō Candy Gacha! Sometimes one candy came out, sometimes many—it was super exciting! Everyone enjoyed it as a snack while talking.

Getting Ready for the City Hall Interview

Next time, the kids will interview staff at Yahata City Hall. Each group thought about which department to talk to and what questions to ask.

In past meetings, kids even inspired adults! For example, one idea led to making a video about how to use the “kamado bench” for disaster safety.

 

By mixing kids’ ideas with adults’ knowledge, new “adding ideas” are born. We can’t wait to see what comes next!