Future scientists trained in Bursa

BURSA - Anatolia News Agency

The Bursa Science and Technology Center, which is first of its kind in Turkey, has specially designed galleries, testing apparatuses and robotic, electric and electronic workshops to enable children to become scientists in the future. AA photo

Potential future scientists are being trained in the northwestern province of Bursa at the Bursa Science and Technology Center, Turkey’s most comprehensive scientific center, offering nearly 150 specially designed galleries, testing apparatuses and robotic, electric and electronic workshops.

Inaugurated Oct. 21, the center presents scientific principles in an easy, understandable and entertaining way. Created to draw children and youth attention to science and technology, all age groups are welcome to explore and interact with the facilities.

Bursa Culture and A.Ş. General Director Rıfat Bakan said students were learning science and technology by testing the hands-on exhibits and that the information in the center reinforces what is taught in schools. “With the mechanisms here, we have made all school subjects more enjoyable, as children can demonstrate their own ability and observe results. Our main goal is to enable children to become scientists in the future. They can see that science is not difficult and that they can make new discoveries and contribute to science. This is why mechanisms here appeal to all the senses. We want to encourage children in the field of science. As well as children, people of all ages show interest in the center.”

‘Centers adopted as a state policy’

Bakan said that the world has more than 2,400 science centers, most of which are in the U.S., and that India is also making advancements in this field. “This center is the first of its kind in Turkey. We have created many [technological items and machines] in Bursa and some of them have been imported. The centers have been adopted as a state policy. We plan to open more centers like this one in the 81 provinces of Turkey, and this mission has been assigned to the Turkish Scientific and Technical Researches Institution (TÜBİTAK).”

He added that one of the significant features of the center is providing professional consultancy. “Our workshops will help children choose their professions. We have a special four-week program, called ‘inventors’ academy,’ and classes like brain engineering, robotics and archaeology are taught in this center. We also have the ‘young academics’ program. These programs are sub-products of the center, where we have formed various libraries for children. They are working on unmanned aircraft, robots and electronic issues,” he said.

According to Bakan, the center encourages hands-on learning and has adopted the rule “it is forbidden not to touch,” in opposition to most museums and cultural centers, where visitors – particularly children – are prohibited from physically interacting with exhibits. “As well as a design team here, there are painters and mechanics in the center. Everyone is free to do anything. There are no restrictions. Touching is essential, even if [something breaks].”

The center serves a 2,500 square-meter area with 14 different sections and more than 150 testing apparatuses. “This is a temporary place. A big building is being constructed on a 20-hectare area. We will continue serving the public in this new building in a year. There will be different sections, huge special designs there. Worldwide exhibitions will also be featured,” Bakan said.