Dear Dragons,

As we move into this important stretch of the semester—with Belief Week beginning next week and Final Exams approaching the following week—this is the perfect time to focus on one of our core Dragon Values: Knowledgeable.

Being Knowledgeable is not only about what you know, but how you use what you know. This value has three key components that can guide you over the coming weeks:

Possess factual and theoretical knowledge
Over the semester, you have gained important skills, content, strategies, and concepts in every course. Now is the moment to trust that learning. Review your notes, study guides, project feedback, and practice assignments—because the knowledge you’ve built throughout the semester is your foundation.

Use and apply relevant knowledge
Final Exams are not about memorizing answers; they are about showing that you can apply what you have learned. Use practice problems, sample questions, essays, labs, or performances to test your understanding in real ways. During Belief Week’s additional academic support sessions, take advantage of opportunities to ask questions, practice skills, and apply what you know.

Continuously seek to deepen understanding
Learning doesn’t end once you “know” something. Use the next two weeks to go deeper. Ask yourself why something works the way it does—not just what the answer is. Make time to study beyond what is required, explore areas that are challenging, and seek clarification before assessments. Growth happens when you push your thinking one step further.

As we enter Belief Week and then transition into Final Exams, remember that knowledge is both what you have acquired and what you do with it. You have worked hard. You have grown. Now is your chance to show not just what you know, but how you can think, apply, and expand your understanding.

Here are a few announcements as we enter a new week: 

1. There is no Advisory next week.

2. Students may attend optional academic support during what would normally be Advisory time.If you choose not to attend academic support, you must arrive no later than 8:50 a.m. each day.

3. All after-school practices are optional next week. If you need additional study time to prepare for Final Exams, please feel comfortable choosing academics first.

4. Please remember that students should NOT be using rooms H205 and H206 during the school day. These are NOT student study spaces or meeting rooms. Please refrain from using these rooms throughout the day. 

5. MIT Comes to KISJ: Explore, Engineer, Innovate

January 12–22 | Mondays–Thursdays | 4:30–5:30 PM | KISJ Campus

We are excited to welcome four MIT students to KISJ for a special two-week series of hands-on STEM workshops designed exclusively for our high school students! This program is part of MISTI Korea’s Global Teaching Labs, where MIT students share their “mens et manus” (“mind and hand”) approach through fun, interactive, real-world STEM challenges.

These workshops are perfect for students who love problem-solving, engineering, innovation, or just want to try something new and inspiring. Dream big. Build boldly. Learn with MIT.

🚀 Workshop 1: Mission to Mars

What does it take to sustain life on Mars? 

Join us as we apply core engineering and physics principles to the ultimate design problem: starting a brand new civilization on Mars. Along the way, you'll complete missions that fulfill a variety of your civilization's needs, such as transportation, supplies, and energy. 

Each mission is scored, and teams with the most points will earn special prizes!

🔬 Workshop 2: N.A.N.O — Nanomaterial Applications for Novel Opportunities

Tiny science, huge impact.

What if the next big breakthrough fits on the tip of your finger? In this hands-on nanotechnology workshop, students will learn to connect the invisible world of atoms to real innovations in medicine, and sustainability. 

Get creative exploring how nanotechnology and small-scale science can drive big-impact solutions!

📅 Schedule & Sign-Up Information

• Days: Mondays–Thursdays (8 total sessions) (first two weeks back from Winter break: Monday 12th January - Thursday 22nd January)
  
  

• Time: 4:30–5:30 PM
  
  

• Location: KISJ Campus
  
  

Students may:

• Sign up for all 8 sessions (recommended!)
  
  

• OR sign up for a minimum of 2 sessions across the two weeks
  
  

Each workshop will be capped at 18 students - This is a rare chance to learn directly from MIT students—so don’t miss out and sign up quick!

6. 👉 Sign-up here

Mr. S