Fly drones, pilot robots: science museum to host advanced technology showcase

Children will get to fly drones and come face to face with humanoid robots and AI robots at a special science experience event set to open next month.

The National Science Museum announced Friday that it will run the winter season of its "2026 Advanced Technology Expedition" program Dec. 5-6 at the special exhibition hall on the third floor of the Future Technology Building at the Daejeon museum.

The event is designed to give children who rarely encounter cutting-edge science and technology a chance to experience a range of future technologies firsthand.

Participants will be able to see and operate drones, autonomous driving robots, humanoid robots and AI robots, learning how each technology works through hands-on interaction.

The Advanced Technology Expedition is one of the National Science Museum's flagship science outreach programs, created to narrow the gap in access to science culture across different regions.

Since last year, the program has traveled directly to elementary schools in remote and underserved areas nationwide, showcasing advanced technologies including drones, quadruped robots and humanoid robots.

This year, the museum expanded beyond its outreach model by inviting children from child welfare facilities to visit the museum itself — broadening the experience so that children can explore the museum's full range of facilities and content, not just receive a technology demonstration.

After the event, the National Science Museum plans to connect participants with online science learning content and a metaverse science museum to help sustain children's interest in science.

On the first day, Dec. 5, the program will be open to elementary school students from child welfare facilities, including community child centers, care centers and family centers. On Dec. 6, the general public may also participate.

The program will run three times daily — at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Each session is capped at 100 participants, and admission is free.

Elementary school students from child welfare facilities may register starting Monday through their facility's coordinator. General participants may sign up on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 10 a.m. on Nov. 23.

"Access to advanced science and technology should not vary depending on where a child lives or their circumstances," National Science Museum Director Lee Eun-young said. "We will keep connecting online content with hands-on experiences so that children can continue to encounter science in their everyday lives."