Celebrating 10 Years of Dynamic MIT-Korea Workshops 

Dr. Kevin Wan is high school associate principal and the MIT-Korea winter program coordinator. He shares the purpose of problem-based learning and how our partnership with MIT-Korea enhances student learning.

The MIT-Korea Winter Workshop has recently completed its tenth iteration at Korea International School. The joint initiative between the school and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) fosters an immersive, hands-on learning environment where students collaborate to address real-world challenges under the guidance of MIT student facilitators. It is also a notable example of how problem-based learning (PBL) can enhance secondary education. This offers students a unique setting to engage deeply and creatively with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 

Each winter, MIT-Korea introduces new workshops to students, and like a kaleidoscope, each moment of collaboration, every challenge tackled, and all the guidance from MIT-Korea facilitators come together like shards of colored glass, refracting into new patterns of understanding. As students twist and turn their perspectives, they discover how curiosity and creativity transform fragmented knowledge into something intricate and extraordinary—a vision of problem-solving that is as unique as the learners themselves.

This dynamic interplay of ideas and perspectives is at the core of PBL, a philosophy and pedagogy that provides students with the tools to think critically, solve complex problems, and engage meaningfully with the world around them. By centering education on authentic challenges, PBL inspires curiosity, builds resilience, and fosters collaboration. The MIT-Korea Winter Workshop upholds these principles, offering a weeklong experience seamlessly integrating theoretical knowledge with practical application. Each workshop is carefully designed to stimulate intellectual growth and ingenuity, empowering students to deeply explore STEM concepts while developing solutions to relevant problems.

This year’s workshops offered broad and engaging topics such as plant hydration and ocean dynamics, to name a few. MIT facilitators provided students with opportunities to grapple with complex scientific concepts in tangible ways. By tackling these challenges, students developed a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of STEM fields and their relevance to current global issues. The structured, equitable selection process ensured that a diverse group of students participated, reflecting the program's commitment to inclusivity and access.

Now in its tenth year, the KIS-MIT partnership exemplifies how international collaboration fosters innovative learning. The involvement of MIT students as workshop facilitators is a highlight of the program, as their expertise and enthusiasm inspire KIS students to see new possibilities. These facilitators not only share their STEM knowledge but also model a mindset of innovation, diligence, and lifelong learning. This unique role embodies the collaborative spirit at the heart of PBL, demonstrating how meaningful learning occurs through shared exploration and interaction.

As an advocate for problem-based learning, I am inspired by the impactful potential of programs like the MIT-Korea Winter Workshop. Initiatives like these go beyond imparting knowledge; they cultivate the critical skills and mindset necessary for future leaders and innovators. By placing students at the center of their learning and empowering them to take ownership of their educational journey, the program prepares them for academic success and the complexities of an ever-evolving world.

The MIT-Korea Winter Workshop is a powerful reminder of the importance of developing and implementing authentic learning experiences in education. Like a kaleidoscope, where shifting fragments form intricate and ever-evolving patterns, this program blends theory with practice, transforming challenges into meaningful opportunities for discovery and innovation. In doing so, it nurtures the next generation of thinkers, problem solvers, and changemakers. As someone deeply committed to PBL, I view this program as a model where young minds can be inspired to address the world's most pressing issues with creativity, confidence, and purpose.