Korean Youth Win Major Awards at World Science Fair for Developing AI Apps and Controlling Robots

Korean Middle and High Schoolers Win 3rd and 4th Place at ISEF
Music App for the Visually Impaired and Assistive Technology for Aphonia Draw Attention

Korean middle and high school students have been recognized for their research achievements in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and physics, receiving major awards at the world’s largest youth science fair.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 18th that Korean student representatives won major and special awards at the 2026 International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), held in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Conceptual Diagram of Reinforcement Learning-Based Quadruped Robot Control Technology. The student research team of Jaewook Jung and Hanseon Cho at Korea Science Academy of KAIST implemented reinforcement learning-based control technology on a low-cost capstan-driven quadruped robot and won the 4th place Grand Prize in the Robotics and Intelligent Machines category at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Photo by Ministry of Science and ICT

ISEF is the world's largest international science and technology competition for youth, with over 2,000 students from around 60 countries participating. This year’s event was held from May 9 to 15, with major and special awards given in 22 scientific and engineering categories.

The Ministry of Science and ICT supported the participation of a total of 24 students across 13 teams, including top teams from the ‘Creative Research (R&E) Program for Gifted Students’ at science high schools and gifted academies, as well as selected teams from the ‘Korea Code Fair’.

From Quadruped Robots to Music Apps for the Visually Impaired

In the Robotics and Intelligent Machines category, Jaewook Jung and Hanseon Jo, third-year students at Korea Science Academy of KAIST, under the guidance of Professor Myounghyun at KAIST, received the 4th place award for their research, “Development and Control of a Quadruped Robot Using Capstan Drive and Reinforcement Learning.”

Jaewook Jung and Hansun Cho, third-year students at Korea Science Academy of KAIST. Provided by the Ministry of Science and ICT

In the Physics and Astronomy category, Yeonho Lee and Yujin Choi, third-year students at Seoul Science High School, supervised by teacher Hyunjin Do, received a special award (Sigma Xi) for their research on “Separation of a Thin Oil Film by Mechanical Vibration of Water Surface.”

Achievements in the artificial intelligence and software fields also continued. In the Technology and Art category, Jiho Lee, a ninth-grade student at North London Collegiate School Jeju, developed a mobile app called “Synchronome” to help visually impaired individuals practice music, earning the 3rd place award.

This app compares and analyzes sheet music and actual performances, helping visually impaired users independently correct their own playing.

In the Bioengineering category, Eunseok Yang, a second-year student at Okgwa High School, developed the service “I can speak,” which recognizes the movements of the vocal organs in patients with aphonia and converts them into text, winning both the 4th place award and two special awards (Mawhiba and Midjourney).

Additionally, Taekhyun Kim, a ninth-grade student at Chadwick International School Songdo, developed “Redi-up,” an AI-based personalized spatial design app, and received a special award (Midjourney).

"Korean Youth Prove Digital Competence on the Global Stage"

The Ministry of Science and ICT explained that participating students gained valuable experience competing and interacting with youth from around the world in science, technology, AI, and software fields through this event.

Lee Joonbae, Director of the Future Talent Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, “Winning a major award at this international competition is a testament to the scientific and digital capabilities of Korean youth on the world stage,” adding, “We will actively support talented and passionate young people so they can realize their dreams and abilities on a global scale.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.