Robotics, Computing and Culture in South Korea

Think Outside The Classroom School Trips

Why should you consider Robotics, Computing and Culture in South Korea with Think Outside The Classroom for your next School Trip or Educational Visit?

Computer Science is a fascinating subject and what better way to inspire students than an immersive trip into a country embracing technology in everyday life?

Sure, you can watch videos on YouTube or read case studies but giving the students the opportunity to interact with robots themselves will not only give them a deeper understanding of syllabus content but could even lead to them pursuing further studies in the field after finishing school. In a subject traditionally seen as 'virtual' getting students out of the classroom is a great way to broaden their perspectives!

We can also suggest pre-departure activities to allow students to get the most out of the academic parts of the trip, such as research and discussion around ethical considerations in AI and robotics, including job replacement and automation. During and after the trip students may find their viewpoints change however, and post-trip reflection on whether all the technological ideas they have seen are a good idea or not can be very interesting.

Some of the academic highlights we strongly suggest including in your trip are Seoul's Robot and AI Museum, the Samsung Innovation Centre, Metro Farm (to learn about hydroponics and how farming can be automated underground, literally in a metro station), the experience, the Robo-life Museum and the Busan Science Museum. If you have students with more of a DT, engineering or physics interest, we can arrange factory visits or a trip to the Hyundai Motor Studio.

A residential field trip to South Korea will allow your students to enjoy more than just computing as they make lifelong memories singing K-Pop, cooking Korean barbecue or reflecting at historic temples and palaces. Trips are roughly one third academic, one third cultural and one third fun to give a rewarding balance to participants, but of course we can adjust this based on your needs and interests.

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school tours Robotics, Computing and Culture in South Korea

Robotics, Computing and Culture in South Korea school groups

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Example Itineraries

Here's a typical itinerary for a trip to South Korea, though we can change things around based on your needs and interests - just let us know.

Day 1: Arrival
Arrival in Seoul, transfer to accommodation.

Day 2: Seoul
Time to discover more about Korea! Visit the impressive Gyeongbokgung Palace palace from the Joseon Dynasty and learn about Korean history, before wandering through Bukchon Hanok Village, a neighbourhood of traditional "hanoks" (Korean homes). In the evening enjoy a stroll through the buzzing Hongdae neighbourhood full of music, shopping and street performances, and Zzang Arcade where you can play four floors' worth of arcade games.

Day 3: Robots and technology
One of the highlights of the trip, experience the Robot and AI Museum: Seoul's newest museum, built by robots, which offers an interactive insight into the world of robots and artificial intelligence. Try your hand at controlling a robotic dog and see other robots in action. Here you will also have an opportunity to program robotic arms or surgical robots - or even try AI DJing.
Later, explore Seoul's famous shopping and street food Myeong-dong district, with a classic Korean BBQ, where you cook the food yourself on a grill in the centre of the table.

Day 4: Road trip to Pohang and Busan
Pack up and depart on a journey across Korea, with our first stop after about an hour at the Samsung Innovation Centre in Suwon. Here you'll find out about achievements the company has made in engineering and technology and their future development ideas and plans - including some prototypes in a mock up of a Samsung future home. You'll also learn more about microchips, random access memory and LCD vs LED displays with hands-on interactive exhibits.
Next we'll head to Pohang's Robo-life Museum where you can "meet robots that are already part of our daily lives, knowingly and unknowingly". On the way you might be surprised who your barista is when we stop at a service station for coffee...
We'll arrive in Busan in the afternoon, and if it's a Saturday, head to Gwangalli Beach to see the choreographed dance of drones flying to spell out messages against the night sky.

Day 5: Temples and Science
Today, if the weather is nice, you'll see the rock carved Buddha reliefs in Seokbulsa Temple located high on a mountain outside Busan, via a panoramic cable car ride and scenic hike. If weather conditions are poor, or if you prefer, you can relax at the jjimjilbang at Korea’s largest spa complex: Spa Land Centum City.
In the afternoon, you'll explore Busan National Science Museum, where you can play with robotic fish, see robots dance, try coding with physical blocks, or try the multiple simulators.
Finally, enjoy a very practical application of gravity to literally come down from the day at Busan's Skyline Luge - go karts with gravity plus a zip line.

Day 6: COEX
We'll return to Seoul by high speed bullet train, travelling over 300km/h, before heading to the world's largest underground shopping centre in Gangnam which also boasts an aquarium and library.

Day 7: Study in Korea
We'll tour the Seoul National University or Korea University, offering an opportunity to find out about the latest computing and robotics research, such as the healthcare robotics lab at SNU, before going to Lotte World Amusement Park in the afternoon to enjoy the attractions of this indoor and outdoor theme park. Then, it's time to clear your throat - what better way to finish the day than enjoying the Korean pasttime of noraebang (which you may know as karaoke)?

Day 8: Depart into the future
On our final day we will visit Seoul Smart City to see predictions of life in 30 years with integration of technology into urban planning and government functions, or , to experience how AI, VR and robots will converge with industry in the future of IT. After lunch we'll enjoy a cruise along the Han river including Banpodaegyo “moonlight rainbow fountain” bridge, before you head off to the airport for your flight home.

Of course, depending on flight timings, we can adjust the arrival and departure day plans, or even add an extra day (or change one of the others) to visit the DMZ to see into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and learn about the Korean War.

Which Curriculum Subjects do you cater for?

Korea has a unique culture and this trip will allow students to be fully immersed, with visits to historical palaces and Buddhist temples, food experiences such as hot pot and Korean BBQ, the energy and bustle of street markets filled with street performances, and even the opportunity to see how university life looks like in Seoul.
While the main focus of the trip is computing, typically a third of the trip focuses on discovery and enjoyment of Korean culture. It is of course possible to add more cultural elements to learn more about Korean history, take part in choreographed dancing and record a cover of favourite K-Pop hits, or even learn how to prepare the tasty dishes that are distinctive to Korea.

Computer science is supported and blended with physics, chemistry and biology on this trip to South Korea. Biotechnology comes alive alongside chemistry in a subterranean automated farm growing food of the future, and physics comes into question with the physical robots designed to do everything from inspection to evacuation. The interactive National Science Museum in Busan allows students to experiment with the concepts surrounding self-driving cars but also how submarines and ice breakers work alongside other enjoyable practical experiments.
Of course, the trip itinerary can be adapted should you wish to include more science related aspects and reduce the focus on computer science.

Take students out of the classroom to interact with robots in industry and everyday life, and inspire them with latest developments in the field of artificial intelligence before bringing ethics into the picture. Supporting GCSE and A Level syllabus topics, a trip to South Korea allows your students to understand more about the uses of technology in the real world as well as broaden their experience of different cultures.
With computing as the main focus for this trip, there are a number of interactive visits covering everything from fully automated subterranean farms to the ways technology in development now may change lives in the future.

With robotics being a fusion of engineering and computer science, engineering students will learn a lot from this trip, as well as being inspired in the possible future developments that technology may bring to their field. The Robot and AI museum shows the link between robots and real life, and leaves space to question other possible uses of robotic dogs or 'floating self-balancing balloon robots' to the students. Samsung's Innovation Centre will certainly inspire with propotypes of home improvement technology and a thought-provoking look at how other everyday problems can be solved through the technology currently in development.
For more of an engineering focus, we can also add factory visits or a trip to the Hyundai Motor Studio in Seoul to see the developmental and innovation journey by the famous car maker.

Students will really bond on a residential trip to South Korea, of course with shared experiences at the academic and cultural attractions, but more so when they sing karaoke with each other, race down the Skyline Luge, or ride the rollercoasters at Lotte World together. Students often forge friendships across different year groups as they find themselves enjoying moments together on an international residential trip of this nature.

What size groups do you cater for?

While most trips have between 20 and 30 students, it is completely possible to arrange a tour with a smaller or larger group. Note that larger groups may need to be split into smaller groups for some activities.

We offer a free teacher place for every 10 students on your trip.

Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?

Depending on the nature of the disability we may need to plan alternative activities but we welcome all students on our trips - just let us know what your needs are.

Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?

All students are welcome, just let us know how we can best accommodate their individual needs so that they enjoy and get the most out of the trip.

Anything else?

South Korea is an amazing place and there are many more activities and places to visit than we could fit into the typical itinerary. Should you have particular interests do let us know as we can customise your trip completely - one activity that is popular with K-pop fans is a choreographed dance class and recording studio session, for example.

Who are Think Outside The Classroom?

Think Outside The Classroom specialises in computing themed trips (as well as geography and scuba diving). Trips are planned, organised and often guided by people who are passionate about computer science, technology, artificial intelligence and robotics. We have carefully selected venues and activities in the itinerary based on relevance to topics in the computer science GCSE and A Level syllabi, and can provide educational resources developed with a qualified teacher of computer science. It is also possible to customise further depending on your interests and needs, though please note that language barriers may limit the interactivity of some workshops.

We look after all the small details in South Korea beyond the activities planned on your itinerary, as the overall experience of the school trip is very important to us. Whether this be (much needed) coffee for the teachers on your trip or reacting to changes in the weather with alternative activities, you can relax as we take care of everything. We are ready to support you 24 hours a day when you are in Korea with anything that your Korean-speaking guide cannot solve for you.