GS Caltex to Run 'KAIST Science Frontier' for Youth from Multicultural Families

54 Multicultural Elementary School Students Selected Nationwide

Three-Month Educational Program Operated

KAIST Scholarship Recipients Participate as Academic and Emotional Mentors

GS Caltex announced on July 17 that it will operate the "2026 KAIST Science Frontier Program" for children from multicultural families from July 20 through the end of September.

Orientation scene of the 2026 KAIST Science Frontier Program. GS Caltex

This program was established as part of the agreement between GS Caltex and KAIST in 2024 to foster outstanding talent from multicultural backgrounds. A total of 54 children from multicultural families, selected from across the country and currently in 5th and 6th grade, will participate.

For approximately three months, participating students will receive customized mentoring, including online education focused on mathematics and science concepts, career counseling, and supplementary learning. In particular, KAIST multicultural scholarship recipients, who receive support from the GS Caltex scholarship program, will participate as both academic and emotional mentors.

The KAIST Science Frontier Program was launched for the first time last year. The first program targeted middle school students from multicultural families and conducted a three-day, two-night convergence science project at KAIST.

The number of multicultural students in Korea has been steadily increasing. According to basic education statistics from the Korean Educational Development Institute, the number of multicultural students enrolled in elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide in 2025 reached 202,208, the highest ever recorded. Compared to the first survey in 2012 (46,954 students), the number has increased more than fourfold over the past 13 years.

Since 2023, GS Caltex has been running a scholarship program for outstanding multicultural students in partnership with the Community Chest of Korea and the Pearl S. Buck Foundation, and has also continued its support for Hamill School in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, as well as the "Ma-eum Toktok" emotional support program for children from multicultural families.

A GS Caltex official stated, "It is becoming increasingly important to nurture future talent based on diversity," and added, "We will continue to provide various types of support to help outstanding talent who will lead the future of Korea grow and succeed."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.