The 4th Polar Festival, organized by TÜBİTAK, took place with the participation of scientists and students. The event aims to raise awareness in the scientific community and increase Turkey’s interest in polar research. Various aspects of polar science were discussed at the festival, and the latest developments in this field were shared with participants. The opening remarks at the 4th Polar Festival were delivered by TÜBİTAK President Prof. Dr. Orhan Aydın and TÜBİTAK MAM President and Director of the Institute of Polar Research Prof. Dr. Burcu Özsoy.
Following the opening session, the results of the Decade of the Ocean Art Contest were announced and an awards ceremony was held. Participants had the opportunity to view the winning entries in the contest, which was organized to raise awareness of environmental issues facing the oceans and ocean sciences.
Later in the festival, during the “Popular Polar Sciences” session, current information and ongoing research related to polar studies were discussed. The three guest speakers at the event—Prof. Dr. Ersan Başar, Prof. Dr. Raif Kandemir, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahmut Oğuz Selbesoğlu—shared their research in various fields of polar science with the participants, moderated by Dr. Sinan Yirmibeşoğlu. At the end of the session, a question-and-answer session was held with the speakers, during which they addressed questions from the audience.
During the Documentary/Vlog Screenings session, organized with the support of TÜBİTAK, short documentaries focusing on research processes in the polar regions were shown to the audience. Participants gained valuable insights into the challenges and exciting discoveries of polar research.
In the study, which received 357 abstract submissions from 62 provinces in Turkey, 48 abstracts were accepted for oral presentations and 35 for poster presentations. The rest of the day featured the K12 Polar Sciences Oral and Poster Presentations. Students shared their scientific papers on polar research with participants through oral and poster presentations. In addition, during the 2204-C Polar and 2204-D Climate Change Research Projects Session, our young scientists—the scientists of the future—discussed climate change and its effects on the polar regions through presentations of their award-winning projects. Furthermore, various sessions—such as the BİLSEM Session, the Polar Session, and the K12 Session—provided students and researchers with opportunities for scientific exchange. Moreover, the Poster Session brought together a range of important ideas and shared them with the audience in a digital format.
The events, broadcast live on TÜBİTAK’s Bilim Genç channels, opened the doors to the world of science for students participating from different regions of Turkey. In the first episode, over 2,700 viewers followed the 4th Polar Festival with great interest. The event aims to highlight the importance of scientific research and to increase young people’s interest in polar research and environmental issues.
The festival provides an important platform for nurturing the scientists and researchers of the future. With the number of participants growing each year, the event will continue to promote progress in all fields of science.
“We aim to make science and research more accessible to the public”
Prof. Dr. Orhan Aydın, President of TÜBİTAK, who delivered the opening remarks at the festival, emphasized the importance of scientific research and noted that such events play a crucial role in finding solutions to global challenges.
Aydın noted that TÜBİTAK supports research on technologies needed by our country through collaboration with universities, industry, and public institutions, and said that while seeking solutions to global problems, they also aim to strengthen Turkey’s scientific capacity.
The President of TÜBİTAK noted that they organize science centers, research project competitions for middle and high school students, workshops, and many similar activities to increase children’s and young people’s interest in science, and that they are working to expand these activities even further. Aydın emphasized that the contributions of educators and families are also important in this process, stating that their goal is to further promote science and research within society through such activities.
Prof. Dr. Aydın wished all the students participating in the festival success, thanked the teachers and families, and expressed his hope that such events would continue to increase in number.
Prof. Dr. Burcu Özsoy, President of TÜBİTAK MAM and Director of the Institute of Polar Research, provided information on polar research. Prof. Dr. Özsoy, who gave a presentation on the results of the National Polar Expeditions, current polar research, and past Polar Festivals, introduced the scientists of the future to polar sciences. In her presentation, while highlighting the importance of the Institute’s educational and awareness-raising mission, she also featured projects developed by the younger generation in the field of polar sciences.
