Student Barkın Özsoy tests air‑quality kits on Arctic expedition

Barkın Özsoy, a student at İzmir Science High School, was selected for the 6th National Arctic Scientific Research Expedition (TASE‑6). He brought a locally designed, open‑source portable air‑quality measurement system called Opaque, capable of detecting gases, particulates, temperature and humidity, and issuing alerts.

His project won first place for Turkey in the 2025 TÜBİTAK 2204‑D Climate Competition (category "Air and Climate"). After evaluation at Teknofest Istanbul, Özsoy joined a 12‑person research team, including three international researchers, which departed Istanbul on 30 June 2026. The kits were successfully tested under harsh polar conditions, demonstrating low‑cost, high‑precision monitoring.

İzmir Provincial Education Director Dr. Ömer Yahşi praised the achievement, saying it "proves we are moving in the right direction to develop scientific thinking and nurture future scientists."