Mapo-gu will run a hands-on environmental education program called "Mapo Environmental School" from Sept. 15 to Oct. 7, giving local elementary school students a chance to learn about resource recycling and carbon neutrality.
The program targets third- through fifth-graders and takes students on visits to local environmental facilities, where they learn about waste sorting, recycling, eco-friendly energy and reducing trash through direct experience.
In the first half of this year, 370 students from 17 classes across five elementary schools took part in the program. Building on strong satisfaction ratings from those sessions, the district has expanded the offering for the second half of the year into two distinct course options.
Course A takes students to the recycling education center inside Mapo Central Library and to the Seoul Energy Dream Center. At the recycling center, students practice proper waste sorting and learn about the recycling process using aluminum cans or clear plastic bottles. They then board an eco-friendly electric bus for the "Exciting Eco Tour," visiting the Seoul Energy Dream Center, Noeul Park and the Mapo Resource Recovery Facility.
Course B visits two shops in Mangwon-dong: Gomson Repair Shop (6 Mangwon-ro 8-gil) and Almaeng Store (47 World Cup-ro 25-gil). At Gomson, students hear the story behind the repair shop, take part in a zero-waste lesson and make keychains from recycled keycaps. They then tour Almaeng Store, which practices refill-based and packaging-free retail, to learn about sustainable consumption habits that reduce waste.
Each class may choose one of the two courses. Course A accepts up to 20 students per class, subject to bus capacity, while Course B charges a participation fee of 1,000 won per student.
Schools wishing to participate must complete an application form and submit it by email by Friday.
The district will give priority placement to schools that have not previously taken part in the Mapo Environmental School, with any remaining slots filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Selected schools will be notified individually on Sept. 1.
For more information, contact the Environment Division of Mapo-gu Office. "Environmental lessons stick longer when children see and experience them firsthand, rather than just reading about them in books," Mapo-gu District Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun said. "I hope the Environmental School gives children the chance to see, make and experience things directly, so they can truly understand the value of resource recycling."
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