UNIST in collaboration with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) hosted the 2025 Supercomputing Youth Camp at the Learning Commons at UNIST from July 28 to August 1, 2025. The camp aimed to identify talented high school students with an interest in supercomputing and to nurture the next generation of scientific leaders. This year, 133 teams applied nationwide, with 30 teams comprising 90 students selected to participate.
Since its inception in 2015, this annual program had played a vital role in fostering interest in science and technology, while also promoting the public understanding of supercomputers to reduce apprehension toward advanced equipment.
About 90 high school students gathered from across the country are challenging their team-based supercomputing tasks.
The event consisted of five days of foundational understanding of supercomputers, principles of parallel computing, and practical training. Participating students had a chance to use KISTI’s supercomputer Nurion to work on various team projects, including simulations of infectious disease spread in urban environments. This provided students with meaningful opportunities to experience the core principles and practical skills of supercomputing. Participants also engaged in hands-on training with KISTI’s supercomputing platform, MyKSC, learning the entire process of parallel computing through practical coding exercises using Python. They applied their knowledge in team-based projects, including simulations of infectious disease spread in urban environments.
Throughout the camp, students undertook challenging supercomputing projects. The activities included team-based competitions where problem-solving skills, collaboration, and implementation outcomes are evaluated to determine the winning teams.
Schematic image illustrating the city infection simulation conducted by Team GPS of Geochang Daesung High School, which received the KISTI President’s Award, utilizing KISTI’s supercomputer NuriOn.
On the final day, the camp featured project presentations and an award ceremony. Team GPS from the Geochang Daesung High School received the KISTI President’s Award and the Grand Prize for their city infection disease spread simulation project. Team Cycle from Hansol High School also received the KISTI President’s Award.
Team Cycle from Hansol High School, winner of the UNIST President’s Award, is taking a commemorative photo with Vice President Hyun Sil Ahn of Research Affairs.
Throughout the event, distinguished researchers from KISTI delivered lectures to broaden students’ scientific perspectives. Professor Cheol-Min Ghim from the Department of Physics discussed “Natural Intelligence Imitated by AI,” while Professor Hyemin Ahn of the Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence explored “The Possibility of Coexistence Between Robots and Humans.”
Chunggi Baig, Director of the UNIST Supercomputing Center, expressed his hopes, saying, “We expect students from across the country to experience cutting-edge technology and grow as future scientists.” He further added, “We believe this program will serve as a solid foundation for their development in science and technology.”
