NC Cultural Foundation said on Jan. 26 it ran the MIT Science Programme at Yeomyeong School, an alternative school for youths who defected from North Korea.

The programme ran for about 2 weeks from Jan. 12 to 23. About 30 people took part, including students enrolled at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States, and students from Yeomyeong School and nearby general high schools.

The MIT Science Programme, now in its 10th year, is a social contribution activity that NC Cultural Foundation started in 2016 with MIT to boost creativity and expand educational opportunities for youths in areas lacking education infrastructure.

The programme featured workshops on topics such as Earth and environmental science, biology and chemistry, and mechanical and electrical engineering. It was designed to let participants experience a range of scientific principles through themes planned by MIT students.

Participants explored basic scientific theory with MIT mentors and carried out a capstone project, an advanced course that applies the theory in combination. They learn creative problem-solving by conducting experiments and making repeated attempts.

Myung-sook Cho (조명숙), principal of Yeomyeong School, said, "Young people who defected from North Korea have few opportunities to meet their peers in South Korea, but it seems camaraderie formed between students from the South and the North through this programme." She added, "We were able to reaffirm the possibility of integration in our society."

Myung-jin Park (박명진), chairman of NC Cultural Foundation, said, "Yeomyeong School students are also the future generation that will lead our society." He added, "We plan to continue to support them so they can achieve creative growth based on diverse experiences and exchanges."

NC Cultural Foundation is a non-profit foundation established in 2012 to carry out systematic and sustained social responsibility activities to mark the 15th anniversary of NCSOFT's founding. It is carrying out a range of social contribution projects with the aim of creating a "creative and inclusive cultural ecosystem for a qualitative leap in our society."