Science, Discovery and Fun Continued All Summer Long at MERCAN, Mersin Metropolitan Municipality’s Science Center

A Summer Full of Science and Fun Came to an End with MERCAN Workshops

As in previous years, the MERCAN Summer School attracted great interest from children this year. A wide range of colorful and educational activities were carried out through workshops covering Astronomy and Space Sciences, Marine Sciences and Underwater Exploration, Climate, Environment and Innovation, and Fundamental Sciences. Throughout the summer, children embarked on a journey filled with scientific discoveries, gaining new knowledge through various workshops and exploring science firsthand through experiments, observations, and hands-on activities.

At MERCAN, Türkiye’s first climate and environment-themed science center, awareness-raising activities were organized on a wide range of topics, including climate change, environmental pollution, renewable energy sources, global warming, and biodiversity, with the aim of developing children's scientific thinking skills and environmental awareness. Children also had the opportunity to engage with technology through robotics and coding activities, while discovering answers to many of their questions about the world of science through hands-on experiences. Preschool children were also included in MERCAN's summer program through the Little Inventors Workshop, which provided young participants with an opportunity to become acquainted with science at an early age. Thus, MERCAN 100th Year Climate and Environment Science Center brought a summer full of science, discovery, and fun to a successful close.

Karslı: “Throughout the Summer School, We Brought Science, Astronomy and Climate Education Together Under One Roof”

Astronomer Dr. Yonca Karslı, Education Coordinator at MERCAN 100th Year Climate and Environment Science Center, stated that they continued their educational activities throughout the summer, bringing science, astronomy, and climate education together under one roof. She noted that a total of 587 children had completed the workshops. Highlighting the high level of participation and the positive feedback received from children and their families, Karslı said:

“We believe that our workshop activities have helped children develop awareness of climate and environmental issues. As a behavior-oriented science center, we observe that our workshops are achieving their goals when students bring items such as plastic bottles or batteries to the center for recycling.”

“Thanks to Our Mobile Workshops, We Reached Hundreds of Children in Different Neighborhoods”

Karslı also emphasized that their activities were not limited to the science center itself, as mobile workshops were organized in various locations. She stated that hundreds of children were reached through solar observation activities. Adding that these observation events attracted considerable interest, Karslı said:

“This year, we organized our annual special sky observation event dedicated to the Perseid Meteor Shower, which we hold every August, with more than 2,000 participants. Through these events, we also contribute to the promotion and development of astronomy culture in the region.”

Noting that visitor reservations had also begun with the start of the new academic year, Karslı concluded:

“Although the summer holidays have come to an end, our workshops, science tours, and planetarium screenings will continue throughout the new academic year. You can follow our activities through the social media accounts of Mersin Metropolitan Municipality or by visiting www.mersinbilimmerkezi.com. We look forward to welcoming all science enthusiasts to our center.”

Video of the News Report:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQoRpDZXqE8&t=5s