Wissenschaft im Dialog

In the past science was seen as a difficult subject not only for students but for everyone. Since the 1970s there has been a lot of effort from the Korean government to make science friendly and understandable to the public. The Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity (KOFAC) has been developing various science resources for different age groups with different interests.This content has been distributed and made available to the public via different online platforms. Each platform has different target groups and types of content. 

Online Science Portal “ScienceAll”

ScienceAll is an online science magazine with contents written to be easily understood by students and materials for teachers of each school grade. Every week the editors choose a different theme concerning the most recent science issues and current social problems. Based on this theme, different types of articles are written and uploaded. As an example, during the week of Pi(π) day they have contents related to math, explaining how it relates to our lives, why it is important, introducing unsolved math problems etc. Students could also find more content in addition to the articles. This included science films, webtoons and infographics from which they could pick up science information more easily and while having fun. Snack science is one of the formats with quizzes, puzzles and video clips on science phenomena. Moreover, students with questions could easily visit this website and submit their questions online to be answered with content related to the question and uploaded on the site so that it can be shared with others. All kinds of science events such as festivals, exhibitions and competitions around Korea could be found via this website as well.

Science TV

(Screenshot: Including past TV shows, YTN Science provides various science content (video, photos etc.) online)

(Screenshot: YTN Science TV Live show can also be watched online.)

YTN is one of the broadcasting companies in Korea which has a Science TV channel. This channel is supported by the government with grants and content. It broadcasts various programs such as Nature & Life, Easy Science and Hot Trick Eureka showing science experiments and facts related to daily life; news desk reporting of national and international science issues and trends; streaming science events and so on. Educational programs for students were produced to explain various scientific phenomenons that are visible in everyday life and experiments on scientific theories have also been played on this channel. These programs help people to indirectly experience science itself or the events that they couldn’t visit live. Compared to other media television is more easily consumed by the audience and includes more visual stimulus which helps them to understand the content better.

Promoting Science Journalism

Science Journalism is still a growing part of the Korean media. In 2015, Korea was the host country for a World Science Journalists Conference as the first country in Asia to host it. This event played a very important role in bringing attention to science journalism in Korea. A significant issue that coincided with the event, was the outbreak of the MERS virus all over the country and throughout the world. It provided a good case study for showing the importance of science communication and science journalism: The conference took place shortly after the first MERS patient was diagnosed with MERS and people (the public) did not have enough information on this virus which made them very worried and made the situation even worse (since not enough information was given, the virus was able to spread more). Scientists on the media weren't giving many details either, which made people more anxious. The conference was held as this news story unfolded and added a session with that topic to the schedule just a week before the conference. It was a good opportunity to have a wide ranging discussion between journalists and scientists which helped journalists and their readers to understand the virus more clearly.

Science Times is an online science newspaper issuing eight articles each day on every week day. These articles cover basic science, medical science, space, marine science, military science, science fictions and scientists as well as international scientific issues. This online science newspaper catches the newest trends and issues on science with details which explains a lot for the readers. The main target group of this website consists of scientists, policy makers, teachers and people working with science (including science communicators). Anyone can sign up for free via subscription on the website.

New trend of science contents – Science Gamification

(left: first level of science challenge with 12 different games, VODs and quiz, right: game named ‘Ocean with mirrors’ where players need to find a path for a lost ship by moving the angle of the mirrors and the light house)

Based on scientific knowledge, games and video clips have been developed as educational content. These games can be used as an educational tool during classes or after school programs. About 100 games and VODs (videos) have been developed for 5 levels: beginner, junior, senior, maniac, master. From each game and VOD students gain points for the next level to continue. While playing these games they are exposed to scientific theory which they need to understand to complete every stage. Gamification is the inspiration for this new format of content which is a word combining Game and Education. Gamification has been introduced since 2015 as a new method to create science education resources. More game companies are showing interest in this market. The games were made available to students online via a website and a mobile application.

All of the media described in this article are open and for free to everyone since they have been supported and developed using government funding. The Ministry of Science, ICT, and Future Planning of Korea has carefully planned to develop science contents for the public and to distribute them through various on- and off-line media. KOFAC has been the partner organization to these plans and realized them with the government.

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