Hanwha Group Hosts High School Science Competition 'Hanwha Science Challenge 2023'

Total Prize Money of 200 Million Won Including 40 Million Won Grand Prize

Hanwha Group is hosting the 'Hanwha Science Challenge 2023,' a competition to nurture young scientific talents who will create a sustainable tomorrow.

Now in its 12th year, the Hanwha Science Challenge is a science idea competition held by Hanwha Group for high school students nationwide to foster creative future scientific talents. It was first held in 2011 under the motto of Chairman Kim Seung-yeon to "cultivate young Korean Nobel Prize winners in science." It has grown into the nation's top-level science competition for high school students, with total prizes worth 200 million KRW, including 40 million KRW for the grand prize team.

Started with Chairman Kim Seung-yeon's strong will to nurture pure science, the Hanwha Science Challenge is recognized as laying the foundation for the advancement of science in Korea. As of 2022, among the 451 awardees who have reached adulthood, 353 (78%) have entered science and engineering universities. Among them, 44 have completed or are pursuing master's or doctoral degrees, and 35 have found employment or started businesses in engineering-related industries after graduation.

This year's slogan is "Saving the Earth: Scientific Ideas for Creating a Sustainable Tomorrow." Unlike the previous 11 competitions that focused on four major research themes (energy, bio, climate change, water), this year features a free theme aimed at creating a sustainable tomorrow, greatly expanding creativity. Participants will compete by developing creative ideas for sustainable human development based on logic and practicality.

Teams consist of two high school students and one supervising teacher. There is no limit to the number of teams per school, and students from different schools can form joint teams.

High school students wishing to participate can register online on the Hanwha Science Challenge website for six weeks until the 12th of next month. The judging process will be conducted in a hybrid format combining online and offline evaluations. The first and second preliminary rounds will be held online by June 3, selecting 20 teams for the finals. The final round will be held offline over two days from August 23 to August 24, with the awards ceremony on August 25.

The prize scale for the final winners of the Hanwha Science Challenge also boasts the highest level in the country. A total of 200 million KRW in scholarships and prizes will be awarded, including 40 million KRW for one grand prize team and 20 million KRW each for two gold prize teams.

Five teams (total of 10 people) winning silver prizes or higher will be granted the opportunity to experience special programs such as visits to prestigious overseas scientific institutions, engineering universities, and Hanwha Group’s global business sites. In addition to the overseas study program, awardees will receive step-by-step mentoring and career management programs to support their continuous growth until employment.

Over the past 11 years, approximately 6,400 teams and 14,000 gifted young scientists have shared their concerns and ideas for a better future for the Earth and humanity through the Hanwha Science Challenge.