The 32nd SNU Public Science Lecture: Group Photo

The College of Natural Sciences at Seoul National University successfully held the 32nd SNU Public Science Lecture in collaboration with the KAOS Foundation on December 21st. The SNU Public Science Lecture, which began in January 1994, celebrated its 32nd edition in 2024. Held every year during winter vacation, the event is aimed at young science enthusiasts and the general public.

This year’s lecture, held at the SNU Gymnasium on the Gwanak campus, featured four renowned scholars—Jinho Ahn, Jonghee Yoo, Jangsoo Kim, and Yoo Kyung Lee—who gave talks on the theme "Dreams and Challenges of Scientists: The Exploration of Science," accompanied by performances from undergraduate students. A total of around 1,600 attendees participated, including elementary school students, middle and high school students, university students, and the general public. Despite the year-end timing, online registration closed within two days, reflecting strong interest even before the event began.

The 32nd SNU Public Science Lecture: Lecture Scene

The lecture consisted of four sessions. The first talk, "Bubbles Hidden in Glaciers," was presented by Professor Jinho Ahn from the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, who introduced greenhouse gas research on past atmospheric components trapped in Antarctic glaciers. The second talk, "Exploring the Invisible Universe," by Professor Jonghee Yoo from the Department of Physics and Astronomy, discussed the ever-changing properties of neutrinos produced in fusion processes. In the third session, Professor Jangsoo Kim from the Department of Mathematics at Sungkyunkwan University gave a lecture titled "Is There a Juggling Mathematician?" where he demonstrated juggling and explained the mathematics behind it using combinatorics. Following the lectures, a mini-lecture by Dr. Yoo Kyung Lee from the Korea Polar Research Institute introduced the challenges and wonders of tundra polar research. The event concluded with a Q&A session, allowing direct interaction between the speakers and the attendees. The event received enthusiastic responses from participants, with engaging lectures and diverse performances from the SNU cheerleading team.

Professor Daehan Lee, a graduate of SNU's Department of Biological Sciences and current professor at Sungkyunkwan University's Department of Biological Science, who served as the event's host, shared, "20 years ago, I attended the SNU Public Science Lecture as a high school student. It's particularly special and moving to now be hosting this event as a scientist. I hope this lecture inspires many young aspiring scientists to explore and enjoy science as I have.“

Mr. Hoon Jeon, the Secretary-General of the KAOS Foundation, commented, "Through the active participation and enthusiastic responses from attendees, I was reminded of the deep passion for science. We will continue to create opportunities to share scientific knowledge with leading scholars in the field of natural sciences.“

The 32nd SNU Public Science Lecture Held Successfully

Dean Jaejun Yoo of SNU's College of Natural Sciences expressed, "The SNU Public Science Lecture is prepared by faculty and committees over six months, each year focusing on a specific theme. It is very rewarding to see this event becoming a representative science-sharing program of SNU. We will continue our efforts to popularize science and inspire the dreams of science among young people."