KAIST has taken the lead in cultivating future talent in the broad field of information technology. The Department of Electrical Engineering played host to the Electronic Engineering Camp for Gifted Students that took place from August 1 to 5 at the Information & Electronics Building on campus. The application process was open to second year high school students who have an interest in the field of electronic engineering. Sixty students were selected from the pool of applicants based on principals’ recommendations from their respective schools. The entire cost of participating, including accommodations, meals and learning materials was covered by KAIST.

Between 9:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. over the five days, the students took part in daily activities ranging from lectures by professionals in the field from both within and outside KAIST, visiting research facilities, practice at constructing electronic devices and team projects.

The first lecture was given by Professor Chong-Min Kyung from the Department of Electrical Engineering on “What is Electrical Engineering?” The second was given by Professor Sang-Gug Lee on “Korea’s Semiconductor Technology and Its Future,” followed by Professor Jong-Hwan Kim on “Thinking Robots.” The final lecture was given by Dr. Sang-Il Park from the Korea Communications Commission on “The Present and Future of Telecommunications.”

Participating students also gained the chance to visit the Satellite Technology Research Center and the National Nano Fab Center to see firsthand the future of space and nano technology. They also visited the Terahertz Interconnection and Package Lab to see wireless power transmission technology. The visits provided the students with a chance to consider their academic futures and careers.

During the evenings, participants assembled robots, radios and other electronic devices in order to gain insight into the principles of how such devices work. On the final day, they raced robots which they had assembled and programmed as part of a team project.