'Students learn how to save planet through eco-friendly science'

By Jun Ji-hye

The importance of education on how to protect the environment and the global ecosystem has been emphasized in recent years. Students learn that plastics, fine dust and “dirty energy” such as coal could threaten human life and could eventually ruin the Earth.

Elementary school students here have been offered an eco-friendly science education and given an opportunity to foster their talents in the environment and science fields through the Siemens Green School.

The program run by a Korean branch of the German electronics giant first began in 2014 and has provided elementary students in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province with the science education program on a monthly basis.

“The program gives students opportunities to learn about eco-friendly energy and new renewable energy as well as measures for conserving energy in their daily lives,” Choi Hyuk-chul, a corporate citizenship program coordinator at Siemens Korea, said in an interview. “During the program, students also vow to safeguard the environment.”

The program is fully financed by the “Ai SaRang KiKeum” fund, a matching grant program that requires the company to donate the same amount of money donated by its employees every month.

Choi said the program is aimed at educating the next generation on the current state of environmental problems and the need to protect and restore the global ecosystem so the Earth can recover its vitality.

“We utilize high-quality educational materials to cultivate students' knowledge on diverse measures and activities to protect the Earth,” he said.

Every August, the firm chooses about 80 students who have participated in the program that year, and holds the Siemens Green School Olympiad.

This year, the firm held the Olympiad at Seoul National University, with about 120 including elementary students as well as volunteers from the university and the company participating.

“Students used LEGO's educational robot kit, WeDo 2.0, and assembled robots for Mars exploration, during which time they can learn teamwork and increase their creativity and problem-solving skills,” he said.

Choi said he felt especially rewarded offering the education when a student from Incheon wrote a review that he was fulfilling his promise to use eco-friendly laundry detergent and reduce the use of disposable products.

“I hope students who will lead the next generation can nurture their scientific knowledge and eco-friendly perspectives,” he said.