The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK), one of our leading institutions in the field of science and technology, organized an intensive program of events during the March 8-14 Science and Technology Week, bringing science together with all segments of society. The activities, which appealed to different age groups and interests, aimed to increase interest in science and technology and strengthen the scientific awareness of the society.
A Week of Science and Technology Wind Blew
The events held during the Science and Technology Week were organized by different units of TÜBİTAK and addressed a wide range of audiences, from students to academics, entrepreneurs to citizens of all ages who are interested in science.
For Science and Technology Week, science centers across Turkey organized many activities such as public workshops, science shows, film screenings, conferences, poster design competitions and visits to village schools. Activities during the week included laboratory tours, microscope applications, battery studies, scientific workshops such as satellite model making, virtual reality experiences, rocket design workshops and special science shows. More than 200 events were also organized at science centers throughout the week. During the March 8-14 Science and Technology Week, 36 science centers hosted 40 thousand visitors.
On March 8-9, with the participation of 19,271 students in 131 DENEYAP Technology Workshops in 81 provinces, biographies of scientists who have left their mark on the history of science and scientific developments from past to present were shared and short films were watched to emphasize the importance of the week. In addition, our students carried the vision of our workshops integrated with this week to their classrooms by making fun robotic projects and experiments. In the Robotics and Coding festival, which also took place in DENEYAP Technology Workshops, our students had fun and learned by overcoming the instant tasks they will encounter thanks to the technological and scientific skills they are equipped with.
During the week, Bilim Genç organized live quiz competitions every day between 20:00 and 20:30. Fun and award-winning quiz competitions were organized to measure the level of knowledge about science and technology. The winners of the competitions specially prepared for young people were presented with TUBITAK Popular Science Publications.
In addition, an exhibition of TÜBİTAK's scientific projects and technological developments was organized and made open to visitors. The TÜRKSAT 6A communication satellite, experiments carried out within the scope of Turkey's first manned space mission and defense industry projects were exhibited in the exhibition.
TUBITAK Popular Science Publications also offered a special 20 percent discount for this week.
More than 30 interviews were organized, 23 of which were online
Expert scientists and academics shared their knowledge and experiences on topics such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, space exploration, sustainable energy and climate change. Participants had the opportunity to learn how today's technologies will be shaped in the future.
Throughout the week, current scientific studies in different fields were shared with participants through more than 20 online interviews with scientists and experts. In addition, on March 8, International Women's Day, an online interview titled "Inspiring Steps. Women and Science" was held with our female researchers who are supported by TÜBİTAK programs and who carry out scientific and technological research and inspire us with their achievements: Women and Science" was held online. The science talks were broadcast live on the TÜBİTAK YouTube channel.
As part of the week, face-to-face Science Talks were organized in science centers and libraries across Turkey with the participation of expert academics. The talks covered a wide range of topics from advanced technologies to mathematics, artificial intelligence to astronomy.
As part of the week, face-to-face Science Talks were organized in science centers and libraries across Turkey with the participation of expert academics. The talks covered a wide range of topics from advanced technologies to mathematics, artificial intelligence to astronomy. On Saturday, March 8, at Altındağ Alev Alatlı Science Center, Assoc. Prof. Erkan Er shared basic information about artificial intelligence with the participants in a talk titled "Introduction to Artificial Intelligence". On Tuesday, March 11, at Konya Science Center, Prof. Dr. Gaye Defne Ceyhan presented a systematic perspective on climate change with her speech titled "Climate with System Thinking". On Wednesday, March 12, at Millet Library, Fatma Başar drew attention to the importance of science communication with her talk titled "Popular Science Publications in the Development of Cognitive and Inner Power". On Thursday, March 13, at Bilim Yunusemre, Prof. Dr. Faruk Soydugan explained the secrets of the universe to astronomy enthusiasts with his speech titled "Stars and the Universe in Mirrors". On the same day, in Bilim Samsun, Prof. Dr. Memduh Sami Taner discussed "History of Chemical Science, Physics-Chemistry-Biology Unity in Space Sciences and Current Technological Developments". On Friday, March 14, at the Üsküdar Science Center, Dr. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatma Aslan Tutak gave a speech titled "Mathematical Modeling in Life" at Üsküdar Science Center, and Prof. Dr. Çelebi Uluyol gave a speech titled "Productive Artificial Intelligence in Education and Research" at Sincan Science Center. At the Antalya Science Center, Prof. Dr. Simten Bayrakçı Doğan explained the historical development and current role of mathematics with her presentation titled "Mathematics from Mesopotamia to the Present - Pi's Endless Journey". At the TÜBİTAK Science Young Science Café event held at Altındağ Alev Alatlı Science Center, Prof. Dr. Azer Kerimov gave a talk on "Pi, the Unchanging Number of Mathematics". More than 7 thousand science lovers attended the talks.
Intensive Science Activities at TÜBİTAK Institutes
Within the scope of this year's activities, technical trips, laboratory visits and workshops were organized at TÜBİTAK's leading institutes. Student groups from 16 different schools had the opportunity to closely examine scientific processes.
During laboratory tours organized at TÜBİTAK institutes, participants observed experiments conducted in the fields of nanotechnology, biotechnology, materials science and artificial intelligence. Interactive demonstrations on DNA isolation, robotic systems and optical technologies at specially organized experiment stations
TÜBİTAK facilities and R&D centers were visited and the development processes of science and technology were introduced to the participants. In particular, detailed information was given about the studies on the defense industry, renewable energy and autonomous systems.
Campus Visit at TÜBİTAK BİLGEM
TÜBİTAK Informatics and Information Security Advanced Technologies Research Center (BİLGEM) hosted technology enthusiasts at its Gebze Campus. During the tour of the MEKTAM Laboratory, advanced informatics and security technologies were shared with the participants. In addition, other studies carried out by BİLGEM were also mentioned.
Chemistry and Materials Science Workshops and Award Ceremony at TÜBİTAK BUTAL
TÜBİTAK Bursa Test and Analysis Laboratory (BUTAL) hosted science enthusiasts in its laboratories. Materials-Textile, Chemistry-Environment, Food and Agricultural Chemistry Laboratories were visited and scientific analysis processes were introduced. The science show, organized in cooperation with Bursa Science and Technology Center, provided fun and educational moments for the participants.
The Smart Laboratories Painting Competition Award Ceremony was also held during the week. Organized for 8 years, the contest was held for the first time this year among primary and secondary school students across Turkey in cooperation with TÜBİTAK Science and Society Directorate. A total of 1,788 drawings were submitted to the contest. After the evaluation of the works submitted by 1,029 primary and 759 secondary school students, 36 works were selected for exhibition.
Scientific Discoveries in TÜBİTAK MAM
TÜBİTAK Marmara Research Center (MAM) hosted important scientific events for students and researchers. Climate Change Laboratories, Marine Technologies Laboratory and BKTM-TÜGİP were visited and current research was introduced. In the workshops held before the laboratory visits, yogurt bacteria and mold species were examined under a microscope, CO₂ sources and sinks were analyzed, and fingerprint detection techniques at the crime scene were experienced.
A Close Look at Technology at TÜBİTAK RUTE
TÜBİTAK Rail Transportation Technologies Institute (RUTE) brought its visitors together with the transportation systems of the future. Within the scope of the technical tour of the Engine Center of Excellence and Battery Technologies Laboratories, sustainable energy systems and advanced engine technologies were introduced. With the Indigenous Engine Technical Tour, domestic engine development processes were explained to the participants. In addition, innovations in next-generation transportation systems were revealed with the demo demonstrations organized in the Hyperloop Test Tunnel.
Defense Technologies Experience at TÜBİTAK SAGE
TÜBİTAK Defence Industry Research and Development Institute (SAGE) offered participants the opportunity to get to know defence technologies closely at events organized at TÜBİTAK UZAY campus. Participants experienced advanced technologies used in the defence industry with the TÜBİTAK SAGE Munitions Exhibition, Virtual Reality Experience Workshop, I Design My Rocket Workshop and S-FORCE Battle Environment Simulation.
Particle Physics Data Analysis School at TÜBİTAK TBAE
TÜBİTAK Basic Sciences Research Institute (TBAE) organized this year's Particle Physics Data Analysis School event. Within the scope of the program, participants received theoretical and practical training on the basic principles of particle physics and data analysis techniques. Studies were conducted on the analysis methods used at CERN and particle accelerators. Participants had the opportunity to get to know scientific research processes more closely by gaining comprehensive knowledge on big data analysis and experimental physics methods.
Journey to Metrology at TÜBİTAK UME
TÜBİTAK National Metrology Institute (UME) organized a comprehensive program to raise awareness on scientific measurement and metrology. Participants discovered the importance of measurement science through an interactive presentation titled "Unknown Science: Metrology" to discover the importance of measurement science. The Electromagnetic, High Voltage, Quantum Metrology and Acoustic Laboratories were visited and modern measurement techniques were examined in practice. In addition, participants participated in scientific experiments related to time and measurement with the workshops "Measure Yourself", "Stop Time" and "The Institute for Setting Clocks".
Journey to Space Technologies at TÜBİTAK UZAY
Visitors to TÜBİTAK UZAY had the opportunity to get to know satellite systems closely and gain hands-on knowledge with the İMECE Satellite Model Workshops. In addition, thanks to the Journey to the Moon game, visitors were informed about Turkey's Moon Mission and had an interactive experience about the process of the project.
All the activities organized during the week increased interest in science and technology, and once again demonstrated the role of TÜBİTAK in providing scientific knowledge to the public.
