This research aims to develop a new program for first year education with a view to cultivating students\u27 abilities to work in groups, to conduct case studies, and to analyze and present their findings in a creative way. In this program, each group was assigned a case study of an NPO in Himeji area. Five or six students work in a group and conduct research on the target organization. They interviewed NPO workers and participate in social activities to deepen their understanding of the organization. In the end, each group shared the result of the study through powerpoint presentations and short films. Survey was conducted to analyze the responses of both students and local NPO workers to this educational experiment. The survey shows that this program contributed developing students\u27 interests in social activities. NPO workers also evaluated this attempt positively as an approach to co-develop project-based learning that could offer merits both for students and NPOs
