top of page
Search

IISO Insect Club Explores Nature at Kishine Park in Yokohama

Dr. Mazen Katkout
Sep 5
2 min read

IISO Insect Club combines Outdoor Science, Teamwork, and Islamic Reflection



On August 2, 2026, Grade 5 boys from the International Islamia School Otsuka IISO Insect Club travelled to Kishine Park (Kishine Koen) in Yokohama, Japan, for a hands-on exploration of insects, aquatic life, and the surrounding natural environment.

The trip transformed the park into an outdoor classroom where students could observe living things directly, experiment with their own ideas, work together, and reflect on the remarkable diversity of Allah’s creation.



Learning Through Exploration

Rather than simply observing nature, the students became active young investigators.

Using simple materials, they made their own fish traps and placed them in the water. The students successfully caught fish, allowing them to observe the animals closely before carefully returning them to the water.

The activity encouraged curiosity, patience, teamwork, and responsible interaction with living creatures.

Students also observed a variety of animals around the park, turning their surroundings into opportunities for scientific discussion and discovery.



The Search for Japanese Beetles

Another highlight of the trip was searching for some of Japan’s most fascinating summer insects.

The students designed traps intended to attract popular Japanese beetles and learned that finding insects requires more than simply searching randomly. They considered the insects’ habitat and food preferences and identified the types of acorn-producing trees most likely to attract the beetles they were seeking.

Their observation and planning paid off: the students successfully found and caught a Japanese rhinoceros beetle (kabutomushi / カブトムシ).

For children growing up in Japan, encountering a kabutomushi provides an exciting opportunity to connect outdoor exploration with the study of insect behaviour, diet, growth, habitat, and life cycles.



Connecting Science With Islamic Values

At IISO, exploring nature is also an opportunity for spiritual reflection.

As students observed fish, insects, trees, and other living things, they were encouraged to think about the complexity and beauty of Allah’s creation.

The experience gave practical meaning to Tasbih (تسبيح)—recognizing and glorifying Allah while contemplating the signs found throughout the natural world.

Students were encouraged not only to ask scientific questions such as How does this insect live? What does it eat? Why does it prefer this environment? but also to develop a sense of wonder, gratitude, and responsibility toward creation.



More Than an Insect Hunt

The IISO Insect Club trip was designed around several interconnected learning objectives:

  • interacting directly and responsibly with the natural environment;

  • developing teamwork and collaborative problem-solving;

  • studying the diet, growth, habitat, and life cycles of insects;

  • strengthening observation and inquiry skills;

  • reflecting on the signs of Allah through His creation; and

  • experiencing Tasbih as something connected to observing and appreciating the natural world.


By combining outdoor science education, experiential learning, teamwork, and Islamic values, activities such as the IISO Insect Club help students see that meaningful learning does not stop at the classroom door.

A fish trap made from simple materials, the careful selection of a tree, or the discovery of a Japanese rhinoceros beetle can become a lesson in science, critical thinking, responsibility—and appreciation of the extraordinary world Allah has created.

Comments

bottom of page