For Dewey alumnus Jang Woojung, science has never been about following a ready-made path. It has always been about asking questions, testing ideas, and finding new ways to approach the unknown. That spirit has led him to study Quantum Information Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), one of South Korea’s most prestigious universities.
When Woojung entered this highly specialized field, he quickly saw how much his Dewey foundation continued to support him. Even with dense technical terminology and courses such as Scientific and Technical Writing, he was able to keep pace with confidence. By the time he graduated from high school, he had already gained experience in research, essay writing, presentations, and academic discussions in English through the Adventure International Program and one year of online study with Mount Vernon School in the United States.
Looking back on his three years at Dewey, Woojung values not only what he learned, but also the space he was given to ask himself a bigger question: “What do I truly want to pursue?”
Through subjects and learning experiences such as STEM, MDE Invention, and Industrial Design, he gradually discovered a deep interest in physics, mathematics, and computer science. That interest did not stay on the page. It grew into hands-on research projects. By Grade 12, Woojung was independently exploring advanced topics such as dose-response relationships and quantum mechanics. These projects earned him the Outstanding Research Award at the Dewey Science Fair 2024 and strengthened his confidence that science was the path he wanted to follow.
Woojung also built his academic foundation through a spirit of self-learning. He earned the AP Scholar with Distinction Award and achieved perfect scores of 5 out of 5 in challenging AP courses such as AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism.
Through MDE projects at Dewey, Woojung learned to see science not only as theory, but as a way to solve real problems. Each project began with a real-world challenge, asking students to observe, design, test, and keep refining their solutions. That experience helped him understand that science becomes most meaningful when it creates value in real life. It is a mindset that continues to shape his learning today in courses such as Creative and Interdisciplinary Design at SKKU.
Over three years at Dewey, Woojung found the direction he wanted to take as a student passionate about science. More importantly, those years helped him understand that what makes a true scientist is a curious mind, a self-driven spirit, and the courage to keep pushing beyond one’s limits. That may be the most valuable lesson he carries with him from Dewey as he continues his journey toward the big questions of the future.
