Natural Science

What Natural Science does

Natural Science (特定非営利活動法人 natural science) is a Sendai-headquartered specified nonprofit corporation founded on May 25, 2007 that delivers hands-on science and technology education to students from elementary through university age in Japan's Tohoku region. Its core offerings are the annual 学都「仙台・宮城」サイエンス・デイ (Science Day) festival — a free public event featuring 50+ exhibitors and 69 programs from regional companies, universities, and research institutions — and the year-round natural science 科学・技術講座 (Science and Technology Course) suite covering electronics/Arduino, algorithms, IoT, web technologies, and physics simulation at 1,500 yen per 2-hour session. Courses are delivered in person at the FiveBridge venue in HSG Building, Aoba-ku, Sendai (adjacent to Tohoku University Katahira Campus), with additional school outreach across Miyagi Prefecture.

The organization's technical footprint combines a web-based Virtual Physics Laboratory and supporting physics.js/Graph.js JavaScript libraries with C++/Runge-Kutta numerical simulation and Arduino + HTML5 IoT development methodologies. Representative Director Endo Rihei has published four technical textbooks through Cutt System covering Arduino/HTML5 IoT, Runge-Kutta physics simulation, reinforcement learning combined with physical simulation, and Schrödinger-equation quantum computer simulation. Student teams from the courses have made 8 cumulative appearances at the iCAN International Contest of Innovation world finals (2012-2022), including 2 world championships (iCAN'15 「どこでも茶道」; iCAN'17 「Self neck corrector」) and 6 third-place finishes, with 4 consecutive appearances from 2019 through 2022.

Revenue is generated through course fees, a free general supporter tier alongside a 3,000 yen sponsoring supporter tier (1,300+ registered members across corporations, universities, government, and individuals), textbook royalties, and corporate/institutional sponsorship underwriting the free Science Day festival. The organization has spawned a for-profit spin-off, 株式会社weCAN, founded by 3 course instructors to commercialize IoT products, with patent-pending posture-correction glasses as the lead product pursuing medical research institution validation. Government backing from Miyagi Prefecture, Sendai City, and MEXT (including the 2021 Minister of Education Award and Science Day of the Year 2023) provides institutional legitimacy, while Tohoku University functions as the primary talent pipeline and venue partner.

Name

Natural Science

Legal name

特定非営利活動法人 natural science

Website

https://natural-science.or.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Natural Science is a Sendai-based Japanese nonprofit (founded 2007) delivering hands-on science and technology education to elementary-through-university students via an annual Science Day festival, structured IoT and physics simulation courses, and published technical textbooks across the Tohoku region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Education / STEM Programs

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Computer Training (611420)

akta.pro primary industry

Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Science Camps & Field Programs (Nature, Space, Marine, Geology) (EDAMABAB), Physics Enrichment Programs (EDAMABAH), Math & STEM Learning Technology (incl. Coding/Robotics Platforms) (EDAJAMAG)

Keywords

• Science education
• STEM courses
• IoT education
• Physics simulation
• Science outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Sendai

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Science and Technology Course Fees (科学・技術講座): Primary revenue stream from weekly science and technology courses targeting elementary through university students. Courses cover electronics/Arduino, algorithms/programming, IoT, web technologies, and physics simulation. Fee structure: 1,500 yen per session (2 hours), with a one-time insurance fee of 500 yen annually. Regular courses run at 2 hours × 40 sessions (basic + practical modules). Experience courses run 2 hours × 4 sessions.
2. Sponsoring Supporter Membership (賛助応援団員): Supporting organization members (賛助応援団員) pay an annual membership fee of 3,000 yen (no annual fee). Revenue supports operational costs, experimental equipment, and instructor compensation.
3. Science Day Event Participation: Science Day festival is free for participants. Event covers costs through sponsor support, supporter donations, and institutional backing from Tohoku University, Miyagi Prefecture, Sendai City, and corporate sponsors.
4. Textbook Sales (書籍出版): Organization members (led by representative director 遠藤理平) author and publish technical textbooks through publisher 株式会社カットシステム (Cutt System). Books cover Arduino/IoT, physics simulation, quantum computing, and reinforcement learning.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Natural Science delivers hands-on, active-learning science and technology courses for students from elementary school through university, covering electronics/Arduino, algorithms, IoT, web technologies, and physics simulation. It runs the annual free Science Day (学都「仙台・宮城」サイエンス・デイ) public festival in Sendai and operates a Supporters Network of more than 1,300 members. Members of the organization also author and publish technical textbooks on IoT, physics simulation, quantum computing, and reinforcement learning through partner publisher Cutt System.

Product overview

Natural Science is a nonprofit organization offering science education programs primarily for students from elementary to university level. The main offerings include: (1) 学都「仙台・宮城」サイエンス・デイ - an annual regional science festival event; (2) natural science 科学・技術講座 - a comprehensive suite of educational programs including manufacturing/electronics, algorithms, IoT, web technologies, and physics simulation courses; (3) short-term intensive courses during vacations; and (4) web-based educational tools including 仮想物理実験室 (virtual physics laboratory), physics.js, and Graph.js JavaScript libraries. The organization also publishes educational books on topics like quantum computing, reinforcement learning, and IoT development. The product portfolio is structured as event-based programs combined with year-round educational courses and free web-based simulation tools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• natural science 科学・技術講座: An active learning-type course for elementary through university students that cultivates intellectual curiosity and scientific thinking skills through manufacturing, algorithms, web technology, IoT, and physical simulation courses.
• 学都「仙台・宮城」サイエンス・デイ
• virtual physics laboratory (仮想物理実験室)

Products and services

• Science Day (学都「仙台・宮城」サイエンス・デイ) Annual free public science festival held in the Sendai/Miyagi region, featuring hands-on science exhibits, workshops, and demonstrations from companies, research institutions, and educational organizations for children and adults.
• natural science Science and Technology Courses (科学・技術講座) Year-round active-learning course program for elementary through university students covering electronics manufacturing (Grade 1+), algorithms (Grade 4+), IoT making (Grade 5+), latest web technology (Grade 5+), and physics simulation (middle school+). Courses are tiered by age and progress to international iCAN competition participation.
• Short-term Science Courses (短期講座) Short-term intensive science courses delivered during school vacations (including summer break) for hands-on science learning experiences.
• Virtual Physics Laboratory (仮想物理実験室) Web-based virtual physics laboratory enabling interactive physics simulations and experiments in classical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, and orbital dynamics using HTML5/JavaScript and C++ numerical computation backends.
• Textbook — Arduino & HTML5による IoTアプリのつくり方 (IoT App Development with Arduino & HTML5) Japanese-language technical textbook published on April 24, 2017 covering IoT application development methodology combining Arduino microcontroller and HTML5 web technologies, including sensor data acquisition, wireless communication, and real-time web visualization.
• Textbook — ルンゲ・クッタで行こう！～物理シミュレーションを基礎から学ぶ～ (Let's Go with Runge-Kutta! Learning Physics Simulation from the Basics) Japanese-language technical textbook published on April 3, 2018 (400 pages, B5) covering Runge-Kutta numerical methods for physics simulation including gravity, spring forces, pendulum motion, constrained motion, and universal gravitation — designed for self-learners and first-year university science/engineering students.
• Textbook — 倒立振子の作り方 ゼロから学ぶ強化学習 ～物理シミュレーション×機械学習～ (Building an Inverted Pendulum: Learning Reinforcement Learning from Zero) Japanese-language technical textbook published on February 10, 2019 (160 pages, B5) combining physics simulation and reinforcement learning (Q-learning) for the inverted pendulum control problem — targeting self-learners and machine-learning students.
• Textbook — 14日で作る量子コンピュータ（Visual C++版） (Build a Quantum Computer in 14 Days, Visual C++ Edition) Japanese-language technical textbook covering Schrödinger-equation numerical simulation of quantum dot qubits, quantum gates, and quantum entanglement for quantum computer education using Visual C++.
• Supporters Network (natural science 応援団) Membership-based supporter community of 1,300+ registered individuals and organizations (corporate representatives, university faculty, government officials, educators, and parents) with free general supporter tier and an optional paid sponsoring supporter tier.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8 international competition wins including 2 World No. 1 championships (iCAN'15, iCAN'17) and 6 World 3rd place finishes across 8 cumulative world competition appearances
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Tohoku University (東北大学)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTohoku University is a primary institutional partner, providing campus venues (片平さくらホール, 川内北キャンパス) for Science Day events and serving as the primary source of university student instructors for the science courses. Faculty and students collaborate on science education programs and competition teams.
• Miyagi Prefecture / Sendai City Government (宮城県・仙台市)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMiyagi Prefecture and Sendai City provide institutional backing, co-organize the Science Day festival, and support community science initiatives. Government education committees (教育厅) serve as official endorsers. Sendai City mayor was formally received in 2021.
• JAXA Advanced Technology Center (宇宙航空研究開発機構先端技術センター)coreTechnology or IntegrationJAXA participates in Science Day events as an exhibitor, showcasing space and aerospace technologies to the public. Contributed to the 2008 natural science Symposium with solar cell and space technology demonstrations.
• Cutt System (株式会社カットシステム)coreOthersPublisher of technical textbooks authored by natural science members including 遠藤理平. Published titles cover Arduino/IoT, physics simulation, quantum computing, and reinforcement learning. 石塚勝敏 serves as publisher contact; 武井智裕 as editor.
• 株式会社仙台測器社 (Sendai Measuring Instruments)majorTechnology or IntegrationParticipated in Science Day events as exhibitor, demonstrating CO2 measurement equipment and environmental sensors. Supported the natural science Symposium as a technology exhibitor in 2008.
• National Instruments Japan (日本ナショナルインスツルメンツ株式会社)majorTechnology or IntegrationParticipated in Science Day events showcasing programming and measurement technology. Contributed to the 2008 natural science Symposium with technology demonstration booths.
• Miyagi Industrial Technology General Center (宮城県産業技術総合センター)majorTechnology or IntegrationParticipated in Science Day events as an exhibitor, showcasing industrial technology applications and rice-based food product development (米粉つかいかおかし). Supported 2008 Symposium.
• MEMS Park Consortium (MEMSパークコンソーシアム)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe organization has partnered with the MEMS Park Consortium, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024. natural science's world No. 1 award-winning IoT applications were exhibited at the consortium's commemorative symposium, highlighting the educational program's technology achievements.
• KHB East Japan Broadcasting (KHB東日本放送)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional TV broadcaster that has covered natural science activities including the iCAN competition results and student innovations. Provided media coverage and news exposure for competition teams.
• Kahoku Shimbun (河北新報社)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor regional newspaper that has provided extensive coverage of natural science activities since 2007, including Science Day events, student competition results, and organizational milestones.
• Medical Research Institutions (医学系研究機関)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe team developing the '姿勢矫正メガネ' (self-neck-corrector) is pursuing joint development with medical research institutions for clinical validation and technology refinement as part of commercialization efforts, targeting prevention of posture problems in children due to increased programming education.
• 株式会社weCANmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpin-off company founded by 3 science course instructors (from natural science) to commercialize IoT products. First product '美姿勢メガネ' (Beautiful Posture Glasses) was covered by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper. Represents the entrepreneurial pathway from the educational program.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ロボ団 (Robo Gal): For-profit Japanese chain of after-school robotics and programming schools for children. Comparable as a paid STEM enrichment program targeting K-12 with structured curriculum, but operating as a franchised commercial business rather than NPO.
• STEMON: Japanese STEM education provider offering after-school classes in programming, robotics, and science for elementary-aged children. Comparable as a structured paid STEM curriculum program serving the same parent-paying K-12 audience.
• 科学技術館 (Kagaku Gijutsukan): Tokyo-based science museum operated under MEXT that runs exhibits, demonstrations, and STEM learning programs for children and families. Comparable as a hands-on science education venue with public-sector backing and a focus on K-12 audience.
• 日本科学未来館 (Miraikan): National science museum and science-communication institution operated in partnership with JAXA and other research bodies. Comparable as a science-engagement platform combining exhibitions, hands-on programs, and partnerships with universities/research institutions, but at much larger national scale.
• 特定非営利活動法人 CANVAS: Japanese NPO focused on children's creative and scientific learning through workshops, digital fabrication, and program design. Highly comparable as a peer youth-focused science/STEAM education NPO operating workshops and events for K-12 audiences in Japan.

Others

• Make: Community: Global maker/DIY community and media organization that runs Maker Faire events and publishes project-based learning content. Comparable thematically as an Arduino/IoT and hands-on tinkering ecosystem that overlaps with natural science's IoT course curriculum, but operates as a US-based community/media organization rather than a Japanese education provider.

Broad incumbents

• Panasonic Center Tokyo: Corporate-run science exhibition and education facility in Tokyo showcasing technology and sustainability themes. Comparable as a corporate-backed science-communication venue, but operates at national/Tokyo scale as part of Panasonic's CSR portfolio rather than a community-rooted NPO.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Natural Science