The Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Science Museum announced on the 28th that Lee Jeong-min, a 3rd-year student at Incheon Science High School, was selected as the recipient of the President's Award at this year's National Student Science Invention Contest, while Eom Joo-yeon, a 1st-year student at Daejeon Eo-eun Middle School, received the Prime Minister's Award.
The contest has been held annually since 1979 to foster students' creativity and inquiry and to cultivate future scientific talent. This year marks the 46th edition of the contest, with a total of 11,365 students participating nationwide, of whom 301 were selected through regional competitions to advance to the national competition.
Lee Jeong-min invented double doors that automatically open even if the building twists during an earthquake, receiving praise for their potential to be expanded into safety devices for high-rise buildings and vehicle escape systems. Eom Joo-yeon presented a tissue box that dispenses the first sheet of tissue neatly. Made from recycled material, paper pulp, it was also noted for its eco-friendliness and potential for mass production.
The judging was conducted by a panel of 47 experts from academia, research, and patent sectors. The President's Award recipient will receive a cash prize of 8 million won, while the Prime Minister's Award winner will receive 4 million won, along with opportunities for overseas science and culture tours.
The National Science Museum will hold an award ceremony on Oct. 15, and 301 entries from the national competition will be exhibited at the Future Technology Hall until Aug. 30. Kwon Seok-min, the director, noted, "The creativity of students who unraveled everyday phenomena through scientific inquiry was impressive," and added, "I hope they grow into talents that will contribute to the development of science in Korea."