TÜBİTAK science education initiatives in Turkey

Science outreach and educational initiatives supported by TÜBİTAK have continued to expand across various regions in Turkey, focusing on both urban festivals and rural technological training.

In late September, the TÜBİTAK 4007 Science Festivals Support Program facilitated several regional events. In Esenler, the 2nd Science, Innovation, and Technology Festival featured 26 workshops, including science shows and disaster awareness activities. In Diyarbakır’s Yenişehir district, the ‘Dicle’den Akan Bilim Şenliği’ utilized 34 stands to focus on local ecosystems and cultural heritage. Meanwhile, Elazığ hosted 41 workshops and academic lectures to promote teamwork, and Düzce utilized municipal and TÜBİTAK-funded facilities to transform public spaces into educational hubs.

Efforts to reach rural students have also intensified through specialized projects. In Erzincan, the ‘Future Will Be Beautiful with Artificial Intelligence’ project was implemented at a middle school in Yalınca village. Led by the Erzincan Science and Art Center (BİLSEM) and Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University, the program provided 46 students from eight villages with training in artificial intelligence, robotic coding, machine learning, and 3D design, including practical applications like smart greenhouse systems.

In Muğla, the ‘Bringing Science and Technology to the Village’ project was conducted at Yeşilyurt Middle School in the Menteşe district. Coordinated by the Muğla Science and Art Center (BİLSEM) and local academics, the program offered hands-on experiences in sky observation, microscopic examination, virtual reality, and flight simulations. This initiative also included sessions for parents regarding digital addiction and safe technology use.