Physical AI robot education program 'Robo:ON,' rooted in Gwanak S-Valley, launches for the first time this year
Applications open through July 24 for 90 elementary, middle and high school students — classes held every Saturday in August at Seoul National University
Gwanak-gu (district mayor Park Jun-hee) is set to formally launch its first-ever youth talent development initiative this year, linking the innovative resources of Gwanak S-Valley — dubbed South Korea's Silicon Valley — to local youth education.
The district, together with the Gwanak Small and Venture Business Promotion Agency and Seoul National University's startup support division, will run the "Gwanak S-Valley Robo:ON Youth Future Technology Education Program" for the first time in August.
The program combines AI and physical robotics technology in a hands-on, experiential learning format. It is designed to help students understand how robots work and build core future-technology skills by completing a series of missions and projects.
Moving beyond conventional lecture-based instruction, the curriculum centers on direct, hands-on work with real robots, giving participants an immersive, real-world learning experience.
Classes will be held at Seoul National University's Haedong Hall every Saturday throughout August, with separate tracks for elementary, middle and high school students.
Eligibility is open to elementary, middle and high school students who live in Gwanak-gu or attend a school within the district. A total of 90 students will be accepted — 30 per grade level. Applications can be submitted via a Google Form linked through the QR code on the program poster, with a deadline of July 24.
Graduates of the program will be invited to compete in a robotics competition scheduled for Sept. 5, and top performers will receive an award from the head of Seoul National University's startup support division.
The district sees the program as a foundation for cultivating the next generation of AI and robotics talent locally, drawing on the globally recognized Gwanak S-Valley startup ecosystem — which has appeared at CES for three consecutive years and earned innovation awards across 10 categories.
Building on this initiative, the district plans to gradually expand industry-academia and career-integration programs in partnership with companies based in Gwanak S-Valley.
"AI and robotics are the core fields that will drive future industries," district mayor Park said. "We will continue to expand education programs so that local youth can directly experience cutting-edge technology and develop their creative potential using the innovative resources of Gwanak S-Valley."
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