"There Is Romance in Astronomy"‥High School Senior Leaving for Brazil

Student Song Mingyu Participates in International Science Olympiad for 2 Consecutive Years
Hopes to Lead Korea's Space Era

"There is romance in astronomy. I want to continue contributing to the development of the astronomy field in our country."

On the 28th of last month, astronomy students are taking a commemorative photo at the '2024 International Science Olympiad Korean Delegation Launch Ceremony' held at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The student on the right is Song Min-gyu. Photo by Baek Jong-min

At the ‘2024 International Science Olympiad Korea Delegation Launch Ceremony’ held last month on the 28th at the Science and Technology Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Song Mingyu (Suwon Changhyeon High School) showed a face full of passion for astronomy that he has nurtured since childhood.

Song, a high school senior with college entrance exams approaching, is heading to Brazil next month to participate in the International Olympiad. This is not an easy decision to make just for getting into a good university. It is solely for his ‘dream.’

The International Science Olympiad is a ‘brain Olympics’ where students under 20 years old who have not yet received university education gather to compete in scientific fields such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, informatics, biology, astronomy, earth science, secondary science, and physics tournaments, testing their inquiry skills and creativity. Challenging the International Science Olympiad involves fierce competition even within Korea. In the astronomy category that Song challenged, about 300 participants went through several stages of training, and finally, five were selected. These students will continue to receive training to improve their skills until the competition.

Song fell in love with astronomy when he met the stars at a children’s observatory in the fourth grade of elementary school. His first love turned into conviction over time. Song delved deeply into the study of astronomy. In the second year of middle school, he learned about the Science Olympiad. Most students participating in the Science Olympiad come from science high schools or gifted high schools, but Song is from a general high school. Yet, he has participated for two consecutive years. Song said, "Last year, I personally won a bronze medal, but this year, I definitely want to win a gold medal."

This International Science Olympiad holds special meaning for Song. It is an opportunity to see stars in the southern hemisphere. Last year, the competition was held in Poland, but this year it is in Brazil, which is in the southern hemisphere. The stars visible are different. Song said, "You can’t see the Magellanic Clouds in the northern hemisphere. I want to see the Small Magellanic Cloud and the Large Magellanic Cloud."

Song, who ranks at the top of his class academically, has even planned to study cosmology focusing on dark matter and dark energy after entering university. These are unknown realms that no one has yet identified. Song explained, "Since I was young, I found it fascinating that there is matter that cannot be seen but interacts gravitationally."

Participants in the International Astronomy Science Olympiad are essential talents for Korea’s space era, which began with the opening of the Space Agency. They are the starting point for nurturing talent. Song said, "Most of the friends participating with me are also planning their futures in the astronomy and space fields." Kim Kyunghee, Secretary General of the Korea Astronomy Olympiad Committee, explained, "Most students participating in the astronomy category of the International Science Olympiad go on to study science and engineering fields such as astronomy and aerospace."

At the launch ceremony, Lee Jongho, Minister of Science and ICT, presented commemorative plaques to the 46 students representing Korea at the International Science Olympiad and encouraged them, saying, "We will continue to prepare various support measures so that talented individuals in science and technology can freely conduct research and take on challenges, including support for participation in the International Science Olympiad."