It's a Science, Keeping Children Occupied on Vacation

Children are apt to understand things a little more easily with visual aids and hands-on experience. This winter vacation, taking your children on a field trip to local science centers is a great way to enhance what they are learning in school.

LG Science Hall, on the third floor of the LG Twin Towers' Seokwan (west building) in Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, was the first privately financed science center in Korea, opening in 1987. Since then, the center has had more than 2.5 million visitors and has become a well- known educational site.

The center is divided into 10 exhibition halls, which include themes such as Energy, Life Science, Advanced Technology, Living Environment, Multimedia and Robotics. Visitors can experience a simulated bobsled ride wearing a virtual reality visor or see what they will look like as they get older using the computer program called My Future Appearance.

For game lovers, there are also a variety of computer games, including an interactive oil mission in which the player locates potential oil sites and a baseball player simulation game.

Every exhibition hall is staffed with doumi, or helpers, who can assist children in using the facilities.

Admission is free, but reservations are required for individual visitors as well as groups. The center is closed on Sunday and holidays. For more information, phone 02-3773-1052.

Samsung Children's Museum in the Yejeon Building in Shincheon-dong, Songpa-gu, is exclusively for children under 12. They can participate in making music videos and producing plays at the children's broadcasting station or make their own toothpaste at the museum's science lab. Also, children can learn more about the human reproductive system by watching an educational video on how babies are born.

The museum offers about 100 exhibits under themes like Art Workshop, Multimedia and Science. Ticket prices are 5,000 won ($4) for children and 4,000 won for adults.

The museum is closed on Monday and holidays and open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Entrance to the museum stops at 3:30 p.m. For more information, phone 02-2203-1872.

Seoul National Science Museum in Waryong-dong in Jongro-gu is another interesting place for children to visit this winter vacation. The museum offers a science workshop, computer robotics and films on science.

This museum is well known for its huge size, encompassing 532 artifacts and 2,700 exhibits between its two buildings.

The exhibits in the main building focus on magnetism, physics, space navigation and biological science, while the industrial technology building places emphasis on mechanics, chemistry and electronics.

The museum also boasts a natural history exhibition hall, which displays fish, insects and reptiles. Outside the museum, a train, trolley and airplane are also displayed. Ticket prices are 500 won for children, and 1,000 won for adults. For more information, phone 02-3675-5114.

by Park So-young