Science ministry launches smartphone-based nature exploration program for children

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced the launch of 'Team NORI, NORIAN 1st Generation,' a program encouraging children to observe and record local ecosystems using smartphones. Operated by the National Gwacheon Science Museum, the initiative recruits young participants known as NORIANS.

The program name stands for Team Nature Observation Regional Insight. Under the slogan "Simply with a smartphone! I am also a neighborhood natural scientist!," the program tasks children with completing weekly missions in their living zones. Participants will use mobile devices to photograph birds, insects, plants and animal traces, logging details including dates, locations and biological characteristics in provided notebooks and online forms.

Participants will receive mission kits containing exploration tools and guidance materials at an upcoming launch ceremony, where staff will explain activity methods and safety precautions. After the activity period, the museum plans to present certificates of completion and souvenirs to all participants, while awarding director certificates to those with outstanding records.

Lee Choong-won, director of the National Gwacheon Science Museum, said the initiative aims to help children view nature in their own neighborhoods through the eyes of a scientist rather than focusing on distant environments. "We hope they will enjoy understanding the value of nature and biodiversity by utilizing smartphones as tools for observation instead of mere playthings," Lee said.

The museum indicated that accumulated regional observation data could eventually expand into exhibitions on biodiversity records and family-oriented citizen science projects.