□ The Convergence Talent Academy (President Kunwoo Lee) is now accepting applications for 100 new students for its 2025 Science Creativity School aimed at fostering local science talent. The program is open to sixth grade elementary and first and second grade middle school students in Dalseong-gun, with all courses offered free of charge.
□ The Science Creativity School is a core program of the Convergence Talent Academy, which was established by DGIST in 2024 to identify and systematically nurture young science and technology talent in the region from an early stage. The DGIST is building a collaborative gifted education model with the local community by sharing its advanced research infrastructure and faculty expertise, and this selection marks the School’s first official intake of students.
□ The program offers separate tracks for elementary and middle school students. The elementary track will select a total of 20 students, 10 each for integrated mathematics and integrated science courses. The middle school track is divided into a basic course for first-year students and an advanced course for second-year students, with 10 students to be selected for each of the four subject areas covering mathematics, physics, chemistry, and life sciences, totaling 80 students. After selection, all 100 students will participate in inquiry-based classes designed to foster creative problem-solving skills, utilizing DGIST’s laboratories and research spaces.
□ The curriculum, jointly designed by the DGIST faculty and gifted education specialists, is structured as an integrated project-based learning rather than a simple repetition of school lessons. Reading activities are also included as a required component, helping students further develop scientific thinking and communication skills.
□ Student selection will take place in three stages. In the first stage, application forms and recommendation letters from homeroom or subject teachers will be reviewed. The second stage involves an assessment of creative problem-solving abilities. The final stage consists of interviews to determine the successful candidates. Applications will be accepted from 10:00 a.m. on June 24 through 5:00 p.m. on July 4. First-round results will be announced on July 11, second-round results, on July 25, and the final results, at 6:00 p.m. on August 8.
□ A social inclusion track will also be implemented. Up to 20% of the available spots in each course will be prioritized for eligible applicants, who must achieve at least 70% of the average score of general applicants. The initiative is intended to promote educational equity and foster diversity in the field of science.
□ Accepted students will participate in a 10-week, 40-hour program held every Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., from August 21 through November 20. Classes will be conducted in a hands-on format using DGIST’s state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and facilities, encouraging active, student-led inquiry.
□ Three information sessions will also be held at various locations throughout Dalseong-gun. The first session will take place on June 13 at the DGIST R1 International Conference Room, the second, on June 18 at the Hwawon Women’s Culture & Welfare Center (Gukhwa Hall), and the third, on June 20 at Dalseong Culture Center (Baeknyeon Hall). All sessions will begin at 6:00 p.m.
□ Interested students may submit their application forms and recommendation letters in person to the Convergence Talent Academy at DGIST, or by registered mail or email ([email protected]) as scanned copies. Detailed information is available in the Notices section on the DGIST website.
□ Chang-won Seok, Director of the Convergence Talent Academy at DGIST, stated, “The Convergence Talent Academy aims to become a key institution for discovering and nurturing outstanding young talent in the region from an early stage, helping them grow into future leaders of science and technology in Korea. We will spare no effort to continuously invest in and develop a gifted education ecosystem that is open to the world beyond Korea.”
