Gangnam-gu, Welcoming Vacation with 'From Space Science Camp to Gangnam Online Lectures'

Last summer vacation, the space science camp organized by Gangnam-gu included a tour program at the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute. (Photo by Gangnam-gu Office)

Gangnam-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) announced on the 25th that it will operate seven winter vacation programs in five areas including future education, character, family communication, global, and learning to provide students with a meaningful winter break.

Winter Constellation Observation at the Space Science Camp

The Gangnam Future Education Center will hold a space science astronomy camp for 48 elementary school students in grades 5 and 6 from February 20 to 23 next year. The camp will be held in two sessions (1st session: 20-21, 2nd session: 22-23) to double the number of participants.

This is a non-residential commuting camp where participants will learn about winter astronomical phenomena at the Gangnam Future Education Center and Songam Space Center in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province. Applications can be made on the center’s website starting at 10 a.m. on January 16 next year.

From the 27th of this month to February 29, special winter vacation lectures on mobility, artificial intelligence (AI), ChatGPT, and more will be offered for elementary and middle school students. Applications open on the 26th at 10 a.m. via the center’s website.

Highly Popular Children’s Seodang

The children’s vacation Seodang, which was first introduced last summer, will reopen this winter. The number of locations has expanded from two (Apgujeong and Jagok Seodang) to four (Apgujeong, Dogok, Samsung, and Motgol Seodang). At the Seodang, students study classical Korean texts such as the "Analects" and "Doctrine of the Mean" to learn proper life attitudes, and enjoy traditional games like ttakji-chigi and Dongdaemun play.

Classes are held for 15 students per session targeting elementary school students from grades 1 to 6 in the district. Applications for Apgujeong, Dogok, and Samsung Seodang can be made through the Gangnam-gu Lifelong Learning website, and for Motgol Seodang through the Motgol Hanok Children’s Library website since the 22nd.

The “Positive Communication Project TOP10” lecture conducted by Director Yeom Eun-hee of the Family Coaching Institute at the Irwon Lifelong Learning Center features customized programs for different target groups. It includes happiness classes for parents and children aged 5 to 7 (two courses), playful and laughter-filled communication classes for elementary students and parents, respectful and cooperative dialogue for grades 1 to 3 and parents, wise elementary school life for prospective elementary students and parents, discipline coaching for parents and children growing together, liberation diaries for all parents, couple coaching, encouragement counseling for parents, and conversation training lectures for parents and children in middle school or older.

From February 10 to 6, the Irwon Lifelong Learning Center and Apgujeong Lifelong Learning Center will hold “Themed One-Day Cooking Special Lectures” where parents (or grandparents) and children cook together. Detailed program information and applications can be found on the Gangnam-gu Lifelong Learning website.

Local elementary school students are playing traditional games at Jagok Catholic Church. (Photo by Gangnam District Office)

Prepare for the New School Year with Gangnam Online Lectures

The newly opened Nonhyeon Global Lifelong Learning Center on the 27th will offer native English special lectures for elementary students from January 2 to 18. The lectures will be held six times every Tuesday and Thursday, and applications can be made through the Gangnam-gu Lifelong Learning website.

Gangnam Online Lectures (Gangnam-gu Office Internet CSAT Broadcast) provides lectures introducing major subjects and recommended winter vacation study methods for prospective middle school first-year students and their parents until February next year. It also offers concept completion lecture promotions for prospective high school first-year students, a complete challenge team for Neungyul VOCA, and self-directed learning mentoring lectures.

Jo Seong-myeong, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, said, “We have strengthened this winter vacation program to reduce the burden on parents who worry about finding new programs for their children every vacation. We will continue to operate meaningful programs that help students grow both physically and mentally.”