Q. Please introduce yourself briefly.

A. Hello. I am Hyojeong Kwak, a researcher at The National Instrumentation Center for Environmental Management (NICEM) at the College of Agriculture and Life Science, Seoul National University. The center I work for conducts experimental education (officially called Life and Environmental Science Experience Learning) for middle and high school students, focusing on hands-on laboratory activities and overseeing students' experimental training.


Q. Please explain the NICEM Life Science Experience Learning Program.

A. To explain the program, I should start with the purpose of establishing the center. The National Instrumentation Center for Environmental Management (NICEM) established the Life and Environment Sciences Education Center in 2006 to cultivate talents in the field of next-generation life and environmental sciences. The center conducts "Life and Environment Sciences Experience Learning programs for teenagers”, aiming to enhance their understanding of science through theory and laboratory experiments. This, in turn, increases interest in STEM fields, contributing to the popularization of science and technology and fostering future talents.
The Life and Environment Sciences Experience Learning includes one-day curriculum-centered programs during the semester and more in-depth two-day programs. There are no specific selection criteria, and any interested school and student can participate. During the semester, students engage in experiments such as understanding the principles of optical microscopes, creating various preparations for observation, extracting and verifying DNA from plants and animals, and practicing the process from problem recognition to experimental design and conclusion. During vacations, the program focuses on experiments that students find interesting but may be difficult to conduct due to time constraints, such as microbial cultivation and observation, plasmid DNA extraction, PCR, and scientific investigations.
The program is well-received by students due to a thorough understanding of theory and experiments, and Seoul National University students participate as teaching assistants, supporting not only experimental activities but also mentoring. More details can be found on the website (lesec.snu.ac.kr) and blog (https://blog.naver.com/nicemedu), and each school will be notified through official letters.

Q. Is there a moment during the program that you find most gratifying?

A. There are moments when students express, whether verbally or through their expressions, that they understand and say, 'This is science!' I feel exhilarated during these times. I record students' activities in photos, and when organizing the photos after the education, I often see students smiling while conducting experiments. That's when I feel that the day was well spent. Even after admission, there are students who become teaching assistants and maintain contact for nearly 10 years. It's fascinating and heartwarming to continue such relationships.

Q. What challenges have you faced in running the program?

A. First and foremost, safety is crucial. I am always concerned about potential safety accidents or issues during the program, especially when students come from distant locations. Additionally, dealing with varying levels of students' learning abilities has become more challenging due to the recent learning gaps caused by COVID-19. Motivating students who participate against their will is not easy. There is also pressure to ensure that the time and resources invested by students are worthwhile, and conducting experiments throughout the day can be physically demanding.


Q. Who would you recommend to participate in the program?

A. I recommend students who want to conduct experiments that are difficult to perform in schools due to constraints such as facilities and time, those who want to take the lead in experiments in small-group settings, those who want to experience experiments covering all aspects of a single topic, and friends who want to participate comfortably with Seoul National University students.


Q. What are your future plans for the program?

A. Firstly, diversifying the program is a priority. We plan to add experiments that participating students and teachers find necessary, considering the diverse levels and experiments conducted in schools. Instead of uniform experiments, we are considering programs that satisfy the curiosity of students with excellent scientific talents and develop individual abilities. Personally, my goal and wish are to create experiments for students who find it challenging to participate in experiential programs. I once had a student who participated in an experiential learning program with his friends a long time ago. He was the team leader, actively participating despite having a disability. I became aware of his disability during an experiment. Although I treated him normally, I couldn't forget the sight of his gradually losing confidence during the experiment. Preconceptions about the limitations of students with physical discomfort seem to restrict their experiences. I hope this place becomes somewhere anyone can comfortably come and conduct experiments.


Q. Do you have any words for students or undergraduate students participating in NICEM Life and Environment Sciences Experience Learning program?

A. I hope you gained something valuable for the time invested. Understanding and performing experiments related to the content is important, but I also hope you learned to laugh off mistakes and mishaps. Adapting to a new environment with unfamiliar friends can also be a valuable experience. Just have fun for a day, but on your way home, take some time to think about what makes you happy and what you want to pursue, aside from grades and future careers. I also want to express my gratitude to undergraduate students participating as teaching assistants. I hope you realize how much your contributions matter in the smooth operation of experiential learning and continue to provide support. Opportunities for teaching assistant activities are open, so I encourage those interested to participate.