This summer (Aug. 5-20), a group of six students along with two faculty members and the Dean of the College of Science from the University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan visited Murray State University. The students participated in the first Summer Institute on Scientific Technical English (SISTE), organized by Dr. Suguru Nakamura, Department of Biological Sciences, and Dr. Bommanna Loganathan, Department of Chemistry.
     As a part of this Summer Institute, the University of Toyama students were given classroom instruction and they took several field trips. Classroom instruction included learning scientific technical terms, reading, writing, conversation practice, and scientific communication such as writing abstracts for conference/symposium presentations, giving oral

presentations, and writing scientific papers. The Summer Institute field trips took the students to visit Vanderbilt Chemical Company in Murray, Hancock Biological Station, Land between the Lakes, the Nashville Parthenon and Opry Mills Mall. The students also visited Kentucky Oaks Mall and World Market in Paducah. The SISTE program enabled the Toyama students to learn and express a variety of scientific knowledge as well as helping them to better understand our culture and local environment. Continuing the SISTE program will enhance the relationship between Murray State University and the University of Toyama and will lead to additional exchange opportunities for students at both universities.