#sons2024: Turkish projects selected

The National Science on Stage Türkiye festival was held on Saturday, 7th of October 2023 at the Turkish History Museum and Park in Ankara, Türkiye. 

The municipality of Etimesgut District in Ankara hosted the festival. Mayor Enver Demirel and two of his colleagues came to the festival and visited all the workshops and stands. Our Festival Poster was published on billboards in Ankara one week before the festival. 

Many schools and project groups across Türkiye came to the festival with busses. Pre-service teachers and academicians from Niğde University, Hacettepe University also participated in the festival, presenting their works at the festival.

Nine delegate teachers of Science on Stage Europe opened their stands, exhibited their work, and made oral presentations on stage. The president of the international Hands on Science Network Prof. Dr. Manuel Felipe Costa from Portugal delivered an online speech. Also, Prof. Dr.  Sinan Erten from Hacettepe University delivered a presentation on Global Warming Issues on stage. 

Two groups were participating in the festival from Bulgaria, teachers and students, and also two groups of teachers and students from Kazakhstan. One of the teachers from Kazakhstan was a previous SonS Europe participant. 

In the evening, a gala was held for the honor awards for Prof. Dr. James Westgate.  Students and teachers were given their awards in this Gala. 

During the festival, there were six dance performances: two national dance performances from Türkiye, two National Dance performances from Bulgaria, and 2 modern dance performances by students and youngsters.

25 workshops for teachers and students were held in parallel sessions throughout the day. As well as all others, workshops attracted a lot of attention. Dance performances, science shows and workshops were highlights of the festival. 

The schools from all over Türkiye opened stands and exhibited their STEM projects.

Report: Nilgün Erentay