Mapo-gu 'Exploring My Hometown' Elementary Curriculum-Linked Experience Satisfaction Increases

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"I live in Mapo-gu, but there are many places I don't know and many fascinating spots. I also learned that there are many interesting histories hidden in the neighborhood," said Hwang Yujeong, a student who participated in last year's Mapo-gu 'Exploring My Hometown' program (then a 3rd grader at Seogang Elementary School).

Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su)'s 'Elementary School Students Exploring My Hometown Project' is a local culture support program co-hosted by the Mapo Cultural Center. It is an exploration program where participants visit major cultural heritage sites in the area with explanations from cultural interpreters. It is linked to the 3rd-grade elementary school curriculum topic 'Exploring Our Hometown,' and has received strong support from students, parents, and school officials.

This year, the district will again conduct the 'Exploring My Hometown Project' for all 3rd-grade students in 20 elementary schools within the district until September.

The exploration sites include ▲ Mangwonjeong, which was used as the villa of Prince Hyoryeong of the Joseon Dynasty (Seoul City Monument No. 9) ▲ Seobu Park Leisure Center's 'Nanjido Story Center' ▲ Seoul World Cup Stadium, the venue of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup ▲ Gongminwang Shrine (National Registered Cultural Heritage No. 231) and Gwangheungdang, representative local cultural assets of Mapo-gu.

The duration is within 3 hours, with a cultural interpreter accompanying the group at all times to provide explanations tailored to the students' level.

Especially at the Seobu Park Leisure Center's 'Nanjido Story Center,' participants can see and hear about the World Cup Park, which was transformed from the abandoned land of Nanjido into an eco-friendly ecological park, allowing them to experience the importance of the environment.

Last year, a total of 2,100 elementary students participated. In particular, the opportunity to tour the interior stands and player rest facilities of the World Cup Stadium, which are usually not accessible, and to directly observe the water purification process at the Nanjido Water Reclamation Center received great enthusiasm from the students.

Meanwhile, besides the field explorations, the district produced a booklet titled 'Our Hometown Story,' introducing the origin of Mapo-gu and its neighborhoods, notable figures, cultural assets, historic sites, and attractions. These booklets were distributed to each school to enhance students' understanding and pride in their hometown.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, "I hope that children, who are accustomed to searching on smartphones, will have a vivid experience of Mapo by seeing and hearing about the local landmarks directly. Through various historical and cultural experiences, we will do our best to help future leaders explore the region with a broad and deep perspective."

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