Gangnam-gu covers space, electromagnetic waves and AI in science lecture relay
10 sessions from Sept. 5 to Nov. 28 — register at the Gangnam-gu district office website
Gangnam-gu has partnered with Seoul National University's Institute of Education Research to offer the "2026 Gangnam Future Talent Education Institute Second-Semester Public Lecture Series," themed "Global Community and Science and Technology." The weekly Saturday sessions will run from Sept. 5 through Nov. 28 at the Ilwon Lifelong Learning Center (22 Yeongdong-daero).
The series covers a wide range of topics bridging science, technology, society and history: the ocean as seen from space and what it tells us about Earth; where science fiction novels and films are taking us; the global community shaped by electromagnetic waves; AI and physics; and AI that mimics and humans that are fooled — how to think critically and avoid being deceived.
Each lecture runs 90 minutes, from 2:10 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. on Saturdays, for a total of 10 sessions. Sessions will not be held on Sept. 26 (Chuseok holiday), Oct. 3 (National Foundation Day) or Oct. 10 (the day after Hangul Day).
Each session is capped at 40 participants, and registration is open to anyone interested, not just Gangnam-gu residents. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through the notices section of the Gangnam-gu district office website; details are also available via the district office's KakaoTalk notification channel.
Registration for the September and October lectures opens Aug. 21 and remains open until each session begins; registration for November lectures opens Oct. 30. Full schedules and session details are available on the district office website.
Alongside the public lecture series, Gangnam-gu also runs a youth talent-development program for students. A 13-week long-term inquiry project called "Doing Science the Gangnam Style" is offered to students in grades 5 and 6 of elementary school and the first and second years of middle school, giving them the opportunity to explore topics of their choosing in depth.
Gangnam-gu District Mayor Kim Hyun-ki said he hopes the lecture series will help residents better understand science and technology, which can often feel daunting, and broaden their knowledge and perspectives. "We will continue to organize diverse lectures covering future industries — from space and science and technology to AI — so that residents can proactively prepare for a changing future," he said.
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