Science Museums Offer Chuseok Programs From Moon Viewing to Robots

Science museums across South Korea are rolling out special programs for families during the Chuseok holiday. Offerings range from traditional folk games and a flea market for science equipment to robot building and racing, along with views of the harvest moon and Saturn. Some venues close on Chuseok itself while others stay open throughout the break, so visitors should check schedules in advance.

Buying Science Gear and Trying 3D Pens in Daejeon

The National Science Museum in Daejeon is holding its "Chuseok Science Shop" from the 24th through the 27th. It will be closed on the 25th, the day of Chuseok. This year's event is themed around a science market where visitors can hunt for treasures of old science and create new science, combining a marketplace for buying and selling science goods with a range of workshop programs.

At Kkumi Plaza, a science flea market will feature old science instruments, science books, laboratory tools and science kits for sale. Seminar rooms will host a fragrance workshop where participants blend their own perfume, a rattan workshop for making baskets, and a session for creating keyrings with 3D pens. Paper folding on the theme of space engineering and Chuseok hanbok folding are also on the program. The science market is open to all comers, folding workshops operate on a first-come, first-served basis on site, and some paid activities require advance reservations.

Throwing Yut Sticks and Pounding Rice Cakes in Busan

The Busan National Science Museum is running "Thump-Thump, Chuseok Play Market," a folk games event, from the 24th through the 27th. Because the museum closes on the 25th, Chuseok day, the event will actually run for three days.

Traditional games for families are the centerpiece. "Challenge! Folk Game Mission" lets visitors try yut nori, tuho and jegichagi. Other activities include rice cake pounding and other traditional experiences, nostalgic games and making Chuseok souvenirs. A film program for families to watch together is also planned. The museum said it designed the event so that different generations could experience holiday culture together through traditional games.

Moon and Saturn Viewing in Goheung, Open on Chuseok Day

Anyone hoping to see the Chuseok harvest moon through a telescope might consider the Goheung Space Astronomy Science Museum in South Jeolla Province. The museum will operate normally for four days from the 24th through the 27th without closing, including on the 25th, Chuseok day. Instead, it will take substitute days off on the 28th and 29th, after the holiday ends.

In addition to its regular constellation talks and celestial observation, the museum is running special Chuseok programs. Daytime activities include craft sessions, a program for taking astronomical photographs and a photo zone featuring moon-shaped air balloons. At night, visitors can observe the moon and Saturn. Busking and performances are scheduled on Chuseok day. The museum recommends arriving before 4 p.m. to take part in the daytime programs. The moon is expected to rise over Goheung at about 5:32 p.m. on Chuseok day.

Flying Drones and Racing Robots in Daegu

The Daegu National Science Museum is holding "Light Up Your Imagination BOT Bundle," a Chuseok science culture event, from the 24th through Oct. 11. The program is built around letting children control robots in various ways or build them from scratch.

"Fly Your Dream BOT Bundle! Future Wings!" allows visitors to pilot drones, while "Time Attack Bot Race" has participants steer car-shaped robots in races. Other activities include making robot fancy wood keyrings and foil art or assembling three-dimensional robots. Visitors can also build wind-up robot toys that actually move.