Turkey’s changemakers: The light of science is in village schools

ISTANBUL

The Sabancı Foundation Turkey’s Changemakers Program continues in its 6th season to share the unique stories of extraordinary people who contribute to social development. The fifth Changemaker of the 6th season is Şenol Yıldız, a science teacher, for his project titled ‘Let Science Illuminate the Schools’.

One of the main reasons that Turkey does not develop many patents or inventions is students having a low interest in science. Taking this fact as a starting point, Yıldız has started developing science projects for the various schools he is assigned to and finding entertaining ways for help children become interested in science.

After completing the projects titled ‘I am Touching Science, Having Fun and Learning’ and ‘My School is turning to a Science Center’, Yıldız is now travelling from village to village for his third project titled ‘Let Science Illuminate the Schools’. The project has reached 1,500 children at six different village schools.

Yildiz has not only integrated teachers into this project, but also students who can practice the experiments successfully. As a result, the students have gained self-confidence and started showing more interest in science.

With the dream of helping more children become interested in science, Yıldız has developed various projects. He has helped his students become interested in science, but also helped schools with and without opportunities to come together under the same project. He has encouraged friendship among students and helped them learn the culture of sharing. He has made a big difference in the lives of children in the schools where he teaches, as well as children in the village schools he is visiting.