Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Expands Equal Opportunities in Science Through MERCAN

Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Brings Science and Education to Children Across the City

The Metropolitan Municipality Brings Science and Education to Children in Different Parts of the City

With the aim of ensuring equal access to science and education for all children, MERCAN 100th Year Climate and Environment Science Center continues to take its workshops to different parts of the city. Its latest stop was Çay Neighborhood in the Akdeniz district. Children participating in the event experienced science through a variety of activities, ranging from solar observation and microscopic examination to 3D pen drawing and origami. Through activities organized in different locations across the city throughout the summer holidays, MERCAN has reached hundreds of children, nurturing their curiosity about science through fun and engaging hands-on experiences.

Children showed great interest in the event held in Çay Neighborhood and took part in activities that helped develop their creativity and manual skills, alongside scientific experiences. During the event, children had the opportunity to observe the Sun through a telescope and examine various specimens under a microscope. They also created drawings using 3D pens and designed their own products through planet-themed crown-making and origami activities.

The event, which brought science and fun together, created colorful scenes filled with children's curiosity and excitement. In line with the approach of Vahap Seçer, President of Mersin Metropolitan Municipality and the Union of Turkish Municipalities (TBB), which prioritizes equal opportunities in access to science and the principles of social municipalism, MERCAN 100th Year Climate and Environment Science Center will continue bringing science and education to children in different parts of the city.

Saçma: “We Received an Overwhelming Response to Our Activities”

Seray Saçma, a Preschool Teacher at MERCAN 100th Year Climate and Environment Science Center, stated that they brought together children living in Çay Neighborhood through various activities, including 3D pen experiences, the Little Inventors Workshop, solar observation, and arts and crafts workshops. Emphasizing the high level of participation, Saçma said:

“The children are very happy. Since we are here with activities suitable for all age groups, everyone from young to old has taken part. Children can observe the Sun together with their parents. We organized our neighborhood workshops throughout the summer months. Through our ‘The Sky Belongs to Us’ and ‘Science Everywhere’ events, we reached different districts and neighborhoods. We brought thousands of children together with science.”

MERCAN to Welcome School Groups Again in the New Academic Year

Noting that MERCAN had transitioned into its new activity period, Saçma announced that the center would begin welcoming school groups again. She added:

“Our weekend activities involving parents, as well as our Little Inventors, robotics and coding, climate and environment, astronomy, and science workshops, will also resume. We will continue introducing all children in Mersin to science.”

Neighborhood Headman Çapar: “An Event Like This Has Never Been Held in Our Neighborhood Before”

Abdullah Çapar, Headman of Çay Neighborhood, thanked the Metropolitan Municipality for organizing the science workshops, which received great interest from local residents. He noted that this was the first time such an event had been held in their neighborhood. Highlighting the opportunity for children to discover science through the workshops, Çapar said:

“Today, the children had the opportunity to meet science. Some observed the Sun for the first time, while others examined microorganisms for the first time. Since our neighborhood has a large child population, these workshops were a wonderful initiative. We sincerely thank our Mayor, Vahap Seçer, for providing our children with such a valuable experience.”

Science Came to the Children, Turning First Experiences into Excitement…

Yaren Aksoy, who had the opportunity to examine bacteria under a microscope and found the experience particularly fascinating, said she had participated in several workshops. Expressing her happiness about the variety of activities, Aksoy said:

“We worked with 3D pens and made some wonderful things. At the other table, we also made pinwheels. We observed the Sun through a telescope. Seeing the Sun was wonderful and exciting. We would like to thank the Metropolitan Municipality very much.”

Tuğsem Karasu, who said she had a great time during the workshops, explained that she had examined bacteria under a microscope and used a telescope. She added:

“I love stars and used to watch the night sky. I would like to thank Uncle Vahap very much for organizing these workshops today.”

Dilara Yeşil, who particularly enjoyed using the 3D pen during the arts and crafts activities, said:

“First, I looked at the Sun, and then I made drawings with a 3D pen. I love watching the sky and the stars at night. Today, I had the chance to observe the Sun for the first time. I was very excited.”

Ahmet Tuncer, who expressed his wish for MERCAN to visit their neighborhood again, said:

“I examined bacteria up close for the first time. Everything was wonderful. I was very excited.”

Video of the News Report:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV8DoCCUPks