Purpose of lessons
Learn how the pendulum principle taught in science classes is applied in society.
Think about the roles that timepieces play.
Experience the fun of building something.

Lesson outline
The lessons consist of a lecture on the evolution of timepieces through history, an experiment in measuring time accurately, an activity in which students make their own original clocks, and a workshop for experiencing the amazing work of a watchmaker.
The students listen to the lesson and carry out the work activities in groups of 3 to 5. One of the Seiko personnel acts as the teacher for the overall lesson, while the other personnel are assigned as teaching assistants, one to each group.
STUDY
The flow of the Seiko Exciting Clock School lessons

Learning about the roles and history of timepieces.

Actually trying to measure 10 seconds.

Learning about the mechanisms of timepieces.

Making an original clock.

Taking on the challenge of a watchmaker’s work.

Related school units
Grade 5
- Science
"Pendulum movement"
Grade 6
- Japanese
"Clock time and heart time"
Grade 5
- Social studies
"Industrial development"
Grade 3
- Math
"Moments and intervals in time"
Grade 4
- Japanese
"Comparative reading of advertisements and instructions"
Part of comprehensive learning time and special activities
Lesson form

・Target grades: Elementary school grades 5 and 6
・Lesson time: 90 minutes (two 45-minute sessions)
SEIKO TEACHERS
Seiko teacher and assistants
One of Seiko’s personnel acts as the teacher for the overall lesson, while other personnel are assigned as teaching assistants, one to each group. The teacher this time is Ms. Wakamaru.

Seiko teacher for this lessonMs. Wakamaru

Mr. Suusan

Ms. Kamiyama

Mr. Maccho

Ms. Otaka

Mr. Furuya

Mr. Shumai
Professor Seiko

Digita-kun

Haguruma-chan

Details about lessons
The students can learn about “Pendulum movement” and “Industrial development” that they learn in school, but by experiencing them from a different perspective through familiar objects, they can personalize the lessons without feeling like these are difficult subjects for them. There are also workshops where the students can build things with their team, so the 90 minutes is over before they know it. The students also get to experience the renowned craftsmanship of Japanese watchmakers. Let’s take a look at an actual lesson.
Lesson1
The roles and history of timepieces
First, the students are asked to think about what times they look at a clock or watch. They think of various situations such as “when I go to school,” “when I’m at cram school,” or “when I want to know how many minutes until a test finishes.” This helps them to realize the roles that timepieces play in social life.
Such convenient timepieces were not things that existed in the world to begin with. What kind of searching did humankind have to do to know the time? The students learn about the history of the evolution of ancient methods of measuring time using the forces of nature, beginning with humankind’s invention of the first sundial some 7000 years ago.






Work1
Try to build a mechanism to measure 10 seconds, using things around you.
If the clocks and watches we now take for granted were to suddenly disappear, how could we measure time or know what time it is? The students conduct an experiment using things around them, such as a scrubbing brush, sand, water, string, a tape measure, a fidget spinner, or bath salts, to build a mechanism that can accurately measure 10 seconds.
The students try a variety of methods. Some pour sand or water into a plastic container, adjusting the amount to measure 10 seconds, while others suspend a scrubbing brush from a string and let it swing back and forth. Based on the results of this experiment, the students learn the principle of correct time-keeping, i.e., multiplying intervals by the number of repetitions.
Lesson2
Mechanisms and evolution of timepieces
Humankind continued to search for ways to create more accurate clocks. In this lesson, students learn about the history of evolution of timepieces: how the pendulum principle studied in Grade 5 led to the development of accurate clocks, the emergence of portable timepieces, and the development of even more accurate timepieces.
The pendulum principle
An ideal principle for producing accurate intervals


Pendulum clocks


Portable wristwatches


Looking into the mechanism of an actual watch, the students observe the motion of the balance wheel: the device that made portable timepieces possible.
Looking into the mechanism of an actual watch, the students observe the motion of the balance wheel: the device that made portable timepieces possible.
Also, by observing a model of a watch movement, the students learn that a watch contains many parts. The students can see first-hand the numerous mechanisms, invented through humankind’s trial and error, that are contained behind the watch hands that keep time so accurately.
Also, by observing a model of a watch movement, the students learn that a watch contains many parts. The students can see first-hand the numerous mechanisms, invented through humankind’s trial and error, that are contained behind the watch hands that keep time so accurately.
Even more accurate timepieces



Work2
Making an original clock
While considering the question first asked—“what times do you look at a clock or watch?”—the students come up with ideas for their own original clocks, based on the question “what kind of clock would you like to have?”
For the mechanism of their original clock, the students choose from one of four types, with revolution times of 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes. They then complete the design of the clock face to match the movement of the clock hand.
Numerous fun ideas are thrown about, such as “a clock that measures the time of a soccer match,” “a 30-minute clock to measure lunchtime,” “a clock that shows how much time is left on a test,” “a clock that measures your night routine,” and “TV time.”
Each team produces an original clock, as the team members carry out the 3 roles of appearance design, advertising, and technical design and assembly.
Appearance design
Advertising
Technical design and assembly
Presentation
Each group gives a presentation of their completed clock.
The advertising slogan for the “school lunch employee clock” the students have made in this workshop is “school lunch championship: if you eat fast enough, could you too become president!?,” which draws laughter from everyone. Other examples are the “time-killing clock,” the “hurry! morning preparation clock,” the “30-minute morning clock,” and the “curry clock.” Each idea is full of humor.
Work3
Watchmaker workshop
The final task is to take on the challenge of a watchmaker’s work. “Pick up the tiny screws that are actually used in watches and try to insert them in the holes. See how many screws you can put in by yourself in 30 seconds.”
The components actually used in watches include parts thinner than a hair.
The students focus on the work with serious expressions.
As mishaps occur, such as screws popping out of their grip, they learn that it does not always go as they hope. With the best result of 6 screws in place, and the average of just 3, the students’ expressions show respect for the technical abilities of watchmakers in assembling such small parts.
The students learn while experiencing how, along with the development of modern technology, the renowned craftsmanship of Japanese watchmakers is also something important that is being kept alive.
Students’ comments
“Measuring 10 seconds was harder than I thought. It made me realize what an important role timepieces play.”
“I learned how timekeeping devices gradually progressed from sundials and water clocks and so on, until they developed into the form we know today. It made me think how amazing the accumulation of ages is.”
“Inserting screws into a watch was such a delicate job, it made me think how amazing watchmakers are.”
“I found the history of timepieces so interesting. I also came to understand just how amazing timepieces are.”
“I was really happy how the teacher offered comments to each group when we presented our original clock creation.”
“I’m also going to find my dream.”
Teacher’s comment
I was grateful that those things the students have learned in science and math classes were utilized in a natural way. Although this class is rather reserved and has difficulty with presentations, they had so many ideas tucked away in their heads, and they seemed to have a lot of fun today.
Even after returning to the classroom, they continued to talk enthusiastically, saying things like “that clock design was really good.” After they had their school lunch, I heard them saying things like “I didn’t make president today,” having fun using the idea behind the original clock design of the “school lunch employee clock” (the concept of “if you eat fast, you too can become president”). This is the creativity of students, to come up with things I could never think of.
I got the feeling that their awareness of time had changed; that they had learned to watch the time with purpose and felt the importance of thinking about what timepieces are needed for. And it also seems like they discovered that there are many departments within Seiko, each with its own role. This also made it a career-education activity, which was really great.
The clocks that everyone made together
Here are the clocks that the students produced from their own free thinking and original ideas.

The ready-to-go clock!
Lets you measure school preparation time.

The school lunch employee clock!
Lets you measure time in the school lunch speed-eating championship.

The give it your all!! Study clock!
Lets you measure homework and study time.

The how many minutes can you wait? clock!
Lets you measure waiting time when meeting up with someone.

The eternal summertime clock!
Lets you measure the time you should be using for homework each day.

The breakfast double clock!
Lets you measure the time for making toast and grilled rice balls.
Record of activities

Number of students who have participated
996people

Number of participating schools
16schools

Number of Seiko staff who have participated
39people

Total number of hours of classes taught
55hours
* Cumulative numbers for activities up to FY2019.