Dankook University undergraduate students’ education contribution is making the world a better place with delightful spring weather. Club Sweet Apple team composed of undergraduate students of Science Education Department of the College of Education has received an excellence award at the education contribution competition executed by Ministry of Education.
‘Alak-Dalak (Colorful) Happy Classroom’, an afterschool education contribution program for elementary school students, is a voluntary operating university student’s education contribution activities of various creative experience programs developed by university students themselves.
As a talent contribution act, they visited 3rd and 4th grades of elementary students under the title of ‘Visiting Lab’ and did fun lab tests for them to develop interest in Science. Currently this club is composed of 4 talented students in sophomore and junior levels of Science Education Department who are dreaming of becoming science teachers in the future.
As a member of Sweet Apple club, they were developing various science test and education program and came to a mutual understanding of doing something more valuable to share what they have learned and practiced with others. As a result of numerous thoughts and discussions was to do education contribution activity for elementary students. They started what they are most confident in and what they are best at.
Also, as they are want to-be-teachers for futures, this act made all club members to think about what kind of teachers they will become in the future.
Club leader, Jae-Wang Lee said, “Although there were some difficulties in teaching since elementary students are very active, we were able to lead the program with appropriate handling, and it was worthwhile. Especially, we had a great time because we learned about each other as well.
As a student of College of Education who have to prepare for Teacher Certification Examination and has overwhelming department activities etc, spending time in talent contribution activities might be difficult for them. However, they are saying this talent contribution activity has been a ‘Win-Win’ opportunity for themselves and the elementary school students. According to them, it is good for both because elementary students will learn scientific knowledge and gain interest in science through lab experiences; and themselves are learning another during their preparation for the contribution program.
Jae-Wang Lee revealed his dream as saying, “Alfred North Whitehead, an English philosopher said ‘A good teacher teaches well. An excellent teacher shows it themselves. A Great teacher puts a fire on the heart.’ As we are aiming to become teachers, I want to become a teacher who puts a fire on the heart.”
Teacher isn’t a career that can just be obtained by merely passing a teacher certification examination. A true teacher might be the one who has passion to share all of what they have to the students as Sweet Apple team. Their act of following their dream to become a true teacher makes us think about ‘teaching’ once again. I am proud of these members who will become great teachers someday who put a fire on the heart of the students.
