The EDUCATE project, which was carried out within the scope of the European Commission's Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, "European Researchers' Night", coordinated by our TÜBİTAK MAM Polar Research Institute, was held in Istanbul Tuzla Şelale Park and Gaziantep Festival Park on September 30-October 1.
The project activities aimed to raise public awareness of polar regions and global climate change and to introduce the relevant research and researchers to the public by explaining the impact and benefits of polar research on our daily lives.
Within the scope of the events organized in partnership with Ankara University, Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education, Istanbul Technical University, Tuzla Municipality and Yaşar University, polar sciences were explained to people from 7 to 70. In this context, various science workshops, exhibitions, games, competitions, documentary screenings and concerts were organized. A comprehensive awareness was raised with presentations by researchers who have set foot in the polar regions and continue their work in polar sciences. The winners of the painting contest organized jointly with Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education, one of our stakeholders, were presented their awards on the main stage at Istanbul Tuzla Şelale Park on September 30.
A live connection was established with Gaziantep Governor Davut Gül, Gaziantep Metropolitan Mayor Fatma Şahin and Gaziantep University Rector Prof. Dr. Arif Özaydın from Gaziantep; Tuzla Mayor Şadi Yazıcı from the U.S.A.; Tuzla Deputy Mayor Tülay Kalav from Istanbul; TÜBİTAK MAM President Prof. Dr. Ahmet Yozgatlıgil and TÜBİTAK MAM Polar Research Institute Director Prof. Dr. Burcu Özsoy. After the speeches emphasizing the meaning and importance of the night, both national and international interaction was ensured with videos from other Researchers' Night projects taking place simultaneously all over Europe.
On September 30th, the first day concluded with concerts in Istanbul and Gaziantep. Later that night, DJ performances in Istanbul and night observation with telescopes in Gaziantep continued until 00:30. Students of various age ranges from neighboring provinces and districts also participated in the all-day events. According to the records, a total of 50,000 participants were reached in Gaziantep and Istanbul.
You can find detailed information about the events on the project website:
