Gifted Development Project “Mentoring Day”

“One Year of Growth Built Together by Mentors and Mentees, Sharing the Outcomes of Relationship-Centered Gifted Education”

The Institute for Science Gifted Education at National Incheon National University (Director: Professor Ki-soon Han) held the Gyeonggi–Incheon Regional ‘Mentoring Day’ of the Gifted Development Project on December 13 at the Lifelong Education Center, Jemulpo Campus, and shared the outcomes of one year of mentoring-based gifted education.

This Mentoring Day brought together 80 participating students and 40 mentor teachers of the Gifted Development Project, providing an opportunity to reflect on the inquiry process and learning outcomes achieved through mentor–mentee collaboration. The program included expert lectures, mentor–mentee science experience booths, and presentations of self-directed research outcomes.

The expert lectures featured a researcher from the Korea Polar Research Institute sharing “Stories of an Antarctic Scientist,” introducing vivid experiences from polar research sites and the role of scientists. In addition, a lecture by a biotechnology Ph.D. addressed future agriculture and smart farms, offering insights into a sustainable future society shaped by advanced science and technology. Through real research cases and career stories, students were able to broaden their perspectives on science.

During the event, students and mentor teachers jointly presented the results of their self-directed research in poster format, sharing the entire process—from selecting research topics to the inquiry process, trial and error, and reflection. This demonstrated how a process-oriented and relationship-centered model of gifted education, rather than a result-oriented approach, is implemented in practice.

One student who participated in the lectures remarked, “Listening to the stories of Antarctic scientists and the lecture on smart farms gave me an opportunity to think deeply about the role of scientists and the values they create in future society,” adding, “I would like to continue challenging myself toward a science-related career.” A teacher who conducted research with students over the year and participated in the poster presentations also shared, “The experience of students and teachers exploring together and sharing that process with the public was itself a very meaningful time.”

An official from the Gifted Development Project stated, “The 2025 Mentoring Day was a meaningful occasion where students explored their career paths through lectures by science and career experts, while also sharing the journey of growth achieved together by students and teachers over the past year,” adding, “We will continue to expand a sustainable model of gifted education based on mentoring.”

This “Mentoring Day” event meaningfully concluded one year of the Gifted Development Project and served as an opportunity to spread the values of learning and sharing through science together with the local community.

The Institute for Science Gifted Education at National Incheon National University operates programs such as the Incheon Science Culture Hub Center, the Incheon National University Cyber Institute for Gifted Education, the Living Science Classroom, and Science Touch on Fridays in Incheon. More information is available on the website (https://www.inuisge.kr/

) and through the institute’s social media channels.