Editorial Dept. of Encyclopedia and Science
“With Commune, we turn kids' dreams into constellations of possibilities, sparking cosmic adventures of discovery and inspiration.”
“With Commune, we turn kids' dreams into constellations of possibilities, sparking cosmic adventures of discovery and inspiration.”
The Gakken Group, established in 1946, was founded with the mission of taking responsibility for education in Japan during the post-war period. The initial focus was on publishing educational magazines for elementary school students, with Science emerging as a brother magazine in 1964. Over time, Gakken has expanded into the medical welfare business alongside education.
Gakken’s Science, initially a monthly magazine with science experiment gadgets, aimed to provide children with opportunities for scientific exploration. Despite a temporary suspension in 2010, Gakken’s Science was relaunched with a renewed mission to encourage hands-on learning through various components, including science experiment kits, magazines, manga series, and an online community.
The Gakken Group, established in 1946, was founded with the mission of taking responsibility for education in Japan during the post-war period. The initial focus was on publishing educational magazines for elementary school students, with Science emerging as a brother magazine in 1964. Over time, Gakken has expanded into the medical welfare business alongside education.
Gakken’s Science, initially a monthly magazine with science experiment gadgets, aimed to provide children with opportunities for scientific exploration. Despite a temporary suspension in 2010, Gakken’s Science was relaunched with a renewed mission to encourage hands-on learning through various components, including science experiment kits, magazines, manga series, and an online community.
The editorial team found themselves in a quest for genuine insights into the whimsical world of their readers. Traditional surveys, while informative, felt a bit like peeking through a keyhole – missing the vibrant details of children’s experiences with Gakken’s Science. Recognizing the need for a more direct and personal touch, the team set out on a journey to connect with their audience in a way that goes beyond the ordinary.
Adding a sprinkle of challenge, there was the delightful puzzle of recreating the shared magic observed in the past when Gakken’s Science was the talk of school corridors. Bringing back the days of children excitedly sharing science experiments became a charming mission. In a world dominated by individualized interactions with technology, the team aimed to infuse a bit of that old-school camaraderie into the digital landscape.
Overcoming these challenges required a professional yet whimsically innovative approach to not just understand but dance along with the communal spirit of shared experiences.
To address the challenges and enhance the Gakken’s Science experience, the editorial department decided to create an online community. The selection of Commune as the platform was based on criteria such as simplicity, ease of use, a closed environment for child safety, and single sign-on (SSO) integration with GakkenID. The community, named ‘Gakken’s Science: Bunda Lab’,’ serves as a place for children to share and boast about their experiences, while the editorial department uses it to praise the children. In Bunda Lab, you can participate in online workshops and events for free, watch videos related to the magazine and original videos that explore topics beyond the magazine’s theme, and connect with the editorial department and other readers who are located far away. By using the features of Commune, you can also earn points and badges by liking and commenting.
Gakken’s Science community aims to connect child readers globally through the common theme of “science.” The goals include supporting recognition and successful experiences, delivering additional content beyond the magazine, and fostering a community that leads to continuous purchases. The editorial department guides participants to the community by incorporating QR codes in the magazine and offering free registration, even without purchasing the magazine. Attention is given to guiding children on community behavior, ensuring that every post receives a reply from the editorial department, and fostering a sense of security for participants. Impressive posts from participants, such as sharing experiences related to niche scientific interests like icebreakers, highlight the success of creating a supportive and engaging environment.
Looking ahead, Gakken aims to make the community a place where children’s dreams come true. One remarkable story that fuels this vision is that of Satoshi Suwa. In February 2023, Mr. Suwa passed the selection test for JAXA’s civilian astronaut, fulfilling a lifelong dream. His journey traces back to childhood when he was captivated by the greatness and wonder of space, inspired by astronauts he met on a trip to NASA—a project initiated by a Gakken’s Science magazine collaboration with JAXA.
In crafting a vibrant community where curiosity thrives and dreams take flight, Gakken’s Science not only connects young minds but also ignites the spark of possibility, shaping a future where every child’s journey is filled with discovery and wonder.
