25 middle school students from Cheonan take part in inaugural 'Future Talent Academy'

Students from Cheonan Seongseong Middle School handle laboratory equipment under the guidance of researchers during the Future Talent Academy. [Korea Institute of Industrial Technology]
Students from Cheonan Seongseong Middle School handle laboratory equipment under the guidance of researchers during the Future Talent Academy. [Korea Institute of Industrial Technology]

The Korea Institute of Industrial Technology has opened its advanced industrial technology research facilities to local youth as part of an effort to cultivate the next generation of science and technology talent.

The institute held the inaugural "KITECH Manufacturing Technology Future Talent Academy" at its Sustainable Technology Research Institute in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, on Wednesday and Thursday, welcoming students from Cheonan Seongseong Middle School.

The program was designed to give young students a firsthand look at regional industrial technology research and help them explore careers in science and engineering. Unlike a standard field trip, it was structured to simulate the actual work of a researcher — from touring laboratories and conducting experiments to completing assignments and presenting results.

Twenty-five members of the school's science club took part in the first session.

On the first day, students explored key research technologies in low-carbon and eco-friendly energy, then took part in a range of hands-on activities — engraving name tags with a laser cutter, touring a biodegradable bioplastics production facility, and assembling an eco-friendly house science kit.

They also sat down with working researchers for a mentoring session, discussing the research and development process and career paths in science and engineering.

Students observe a laser device in operation. [Korea Institute of Industrial Technology]
Students observe a laser device in operation. [Korea Institute of Industrial Technology]

On the second day, students stepped into the role of researchers, investigating energy efficiency through insulation experiments before compiling and presenting their findings. They also toured smart factory and 3D printing research facilities powered by manufacturing AI, gaining a concrete sense of how advanced manufacturing technologies can be applied.

Lee Seong-gyeong, the teacher who accompanied the students, said it was meaningful that the students got to see research equipment and facilities unavailable at school and that they conducted experiments and presented results on their own. "Having experienced regional industrial technology firsthand, I expect this will also help them as they explore their future careers," Lee said.

Kim A-hyeon, a student who took part in the program, said the experience gave her a concrete understanding of what researchers actually do. "I had only a vague idea of what researchers did, but by conducting experiments myself and explaining the results, I came to understand their work in a much more concrete way," she said.

The institute plans to expand the Future Talent Academy nationwide, building on the Cheonan launch by drawing on region-specific technologies held by its three research institutes and seven regional headquarters.


nbgkoo@heraldcorp.com