Yongin Mayor Lee Sang-il Holds 'Science Class' with Students in Newly Renovated Seowon Elementary School Lab

Yongin City and Office of Education invest 398 million won

New facilities include electronic whiteboard, digital microscope, and VR experience area

Lee Sang-il: “Ask questions and explore to foster creativity”

"If there is something you don't know, I hope you won't hesitate to ask questions and develop the habit of exploring on your own."

Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin Special City, visited Seowon Elementary School on the 16th to tour the newly renovated science lab. Provided by Yongin City

On September 16, Lee Sang-il, mayor of Yongin Special City, visited the newly renovated science lab at Seowon Elementary School in Sanghyeon-dong, Suji-gu, and said, "I hope you will fully unleash your imagination, discover and invent new things based on what you learn here, and grow into outstanding talents who contribute to both Korea and Yongin," as he shared these words with the students.

Mayor Lee toured the science lab, newly revamped as a future-oriented educational space, participated in classes, and communicated with students, parents, and school staff.

This visit was organized so the mayor could witness the new educational environment firsthand, as construction to improve the science lab’s conditions—which he had seen when he visited Seowon Elementary School for traffic guidance volunteering in March—had just been completed.

Mayor Lee also had tea with Seowon Elementary School Principal Kim Hajin, other school officials, representatives of the parents' association, and student representatives to exchange views on the science lab and the school’s overall educational environment.

Students handed Mayor Lee letters expressing their gratitude that the once-dilapidated science lab had been transformed into a comfortable space equipped with advanced equipment.

In their letters, students wrote, "Thank you for turning our old science lab into a future space full of imagination. Thanks to this, we can now enjoy learning through various experiments and hands-on activities with our friends and cultivate more dreams."

Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin Special City, is receiving a thank-you letter from student representatives of Seowon Elementary School on the 16th and taking a commemorative photo. Provided by Yongin City

After reading the students' letters one by one, Mayor Lee responded, "Thank you for writing these thoughtful letters," and added, "I hope you enjoy your studies in the new science lab and, as you conduct diverse experiments and explorations, you will be able to foster creativity and imagination to grow into excellent scientists in the future."

Mayor Lee then looked over the facilities and equipment of the new science lab, and participated in a science class by solving quizzes with the students.

He said, "I felt that students are learning material much more advanced and in a more engaging and understandable way than when I was in elementary school. As you use the advanced equipment to satisfy your curiosity one step at a time, I believe you will be able to build a solid foundation in science."

Yongin City and the Office of Education each contributed half of the total 398 million won project cost to upgrade the aging Seowon Elementary School science lab into a next-generation learning space. Construction, which started on July 29, was completed on September 13.

The new science lab features a smart farm experience area, an electronic whiteboard, a digital microscope, virtual reality (VR) experience space, and other equipment. Old facilities were also refurbished, enabling students to conduct a wide range of scientific experiments and explorations in a comfortable environment.

Yongin City also addressed suggestions for improving the school commute environment, proposed by parents and school representatives during Mayor Lee's March visit to Seowon Elementary School. In April, the city installed a canopy and LED floor signal lights near the school.

Lee Sang-il, Mayor of Yongin Special City, visited Seowon Elementary School on the 16th to encourage students in the newly renovated science lab. Provided by Yongin City

This year, Yongin City is also providing 18 million won in support for 'Dream Finder Education,' a program offering job experience and career exploration for students in grades 1 to 6 at Seowon Elementary School.

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