UWB Welcomes Students from a Tokyo Super Science High School

group of high school students from koishikawa school
High school students from the Koishikawa Secondary Education School learned the science of stress resilience at the University of Washington Bothell

Through a special summer-break program, a group of high school students from Tokyo, Japan, visited the University of Washington (UW) Bothell. The Koishikawa Secondary Education School is a public school in Tokyo and is officially designated as a Super Science High School by the Ministry of Education. A total of 13 students from the Koishikawa Secondary Education School participated in the Japan Science and Technology Program through the Foundation for International Understanding Through Students (FIUTS) from August 17th to 22nd, 2026.

During the visit to UW Bothell, the Koishikawa high school students introduced themselves in English and learned the science of stress resilience from Dr. Kosuke Niitsu, Associate Professor in the School of Nursing & Health Studies at UW Bothell (Photo 1). Dr. Niitsu’s research focuses on stress resilience, and he also serves as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at the Counseling Center at UW Bothell, supporting college students’ mental health. The high school students answered questions from Dr. Niitsu, such as “When do you feel stressed?”, “What are the negative consequences of stress?”, and “How do you cope with stress?” They identified taking an exam as a stressful event, for example, noted physical reactions to stress (e.g. increased heart rate), and learned what is happening to their body from the neurobiological perspectives when stressed. They also discussed how their body can counteract stress (i.e., stay resilient), learned the science of healthy stress-coping strategies, and practiced mindful breathing together in the classroom. After the lecture, they spoke with Dr. Niitsu and continued the discussion (Photo 2).

students asking professor questions
Koishikawa high school students asking questions to Dr. Niitsu after the lecture

Koishikawa high school students also visited the School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics at UW Bothell and other facilities, including the WISH Lab at UW Medicine. On the final day, at the UW Seattle campus, each student delivered a presentation in English (Photo 3) and wished farewell to the FIUTS staff and ambassadors and the UW professor (Photo 4).

student presenting at podium
A Koishikawa high school student, who wants to become a medical doctor in the future, delivering a presentation about the meaning of “art” in medicine
group selfie of students
Koishikawa high school students taking a selfie for a fond memory at the end of the program

“Those high school students are incredibly intelligent, motivated, and engaged,” Dr. Niitsu said. “They have such a bright future waiting ahead, and I’m wishing them the best. I’m thankful for Ms. Olena Vlasova, Manager of Education Programs at FIUTS, who provided me with an opportunity to deliver a special lecture for them and meet them.”