Marmara Region

Ziya Kalkavan Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School

On Monday, November 25, 2024, an engaging presentation titled “How Deep is the Ocean?” took place at Ziya Kalkavan Maritime Technical High School in Ortaköy, as part of a series of events in the Marmara Region. The event, which began at 11:00 AM, attracted over 200 students and concluded around 12:30 PM.Associate Professor Hasan Bora USLUER led the presentation, offering an in-depth exploration of marine sciences and the mysteries of the oceans. During the event, students had the opportunity to ask questions and deepen their understanding of the ocean's complex world. With the participation of the school principal and teachers, the event proved to be a memorable experience, sparking greater interest in marine science among the students.

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Dağkadı Secondary School

On November 22, 2024, the Marine Science Project team held an educational event at Dağkadı Primary School. Despite being a small village school, Dağkadı Primary School serves as an educational hub for students from surrounding smaller villages, with a total of 69 enrolled students. The event was organized swiftly with the strong support of the school administration and was held in the school's event hall.The event began at 9:30 AM. First, the students of 1st and 2nd grades were welcomed into the event space. The students showed great interest in the diving equipment and Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) exhibition. For many of these young students, it was the first time they had the opportunity to see such equipment, and they asked numerous questions. The presentation titled "Robots Helping Archeologists" was simplified for primary school students. The role of ROVs, such as following the diver, monitoring physiological parameters, and communicating with the surface, was explained in an engaging way.At 10:00 AM, the students from 3rd and 4th grades joined the event. They were equally excited and asked more specific questions. The event provided the students with an excellent opportunity to learn new information about marine sciences and technology, offering inspiration for their future interests. The event became a memorable experience for the students.

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Pendik Barbaros Hayreddin Paşa Maritime Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School

On November 22, 2024, an event was held at Pendik Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa Maritime Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School in the school's conference hall. The program, which began at 10:30 AM, was attended by the School Principal, administrators, and 90 students.The event started with an opening speech by the School Principal. Dr. Ceyda Öztosun then gave a comprehensive introduction to the "Science in Blue" project, followed by an in-depth presentation of the project details by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan Öniz. The program, which focused on marine sciences and environmental awareness, offered inspiring content for students.Throughout the event, students demonstrated their interest in the fields of maritime and science by asking engaging questions. To encourage their participation, the speakers gifted various books to the students.The program concluded at 12:00 PM with a feedback survey distributed to the participants. The event was a significant step in raising awareness among students about maritime and scientific fields.

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Piri Reis Maritime Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School

On November 22, 2024, an event was held at Tuzla Piri Reis Maritime Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School, drawing significant interest from students and educators. The program took place in the school’s conference hall at 3:00 PM, with the participation of the school principal, administrators, and 70 students.The event began with an opening speech by the school principal, followed by a comprehensive introduction to the "Science in Blue" Project by Dr. Hakan Öniz Further details of the project were shared by Dr. Ceyda Öztosun, providing students with valuable insights into the blue economy, marine sciences, and environmental awareness.The session lasted approximately 60 minutes and saw active participation from students, who eagerly asked questions to deepen their understanding. The speakers not only addressed these questions thoroughly but also encouraged students by presenting them with various books as gifts.At the end of the event, a feedback survey was conducted to gather students' impressions. The program was considered a productive step in raising awareness about maritime and scientific fields and inspiring students to engage further in these areas.

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Sapanca Primary School

On November 21, 2024, as part of the Science in Blue project, our team members Tamer Özyiğit and Burak Tekdamar visited Sapanca Primary School. During this event, the researchers had the opportunity to meet with the school’s students and share their experiences over three sessions.With the enthusiastic support of the school administration and teachers, students eagerly examined the diving equipment on display. They asked questions about how and for what purposes these tools are used, gaining valuable insights. Moreover, they shared their existing knowledge, experiences, and dreams about the underwater world.The presentation titled “How I Started Diving?” captured great attention from the students. It covered topics such as a brief history of diving, what they can see underwater, the suitable age to start diving, and how to learn diving through student clubs or other institutions. Additionally, the researchers from Science in Blue shared their personal stories about how and why they started diving, inspiring the audience.We hope that our highly enjoyable and productive visit to Sapanca Primary School sparked an interest in the underwater world among students, contributed positively to their awareness of ocean life and environmental consciousness, and stimulated their curiosity about science and diving.

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Private Italian High School

On November 27, 2024, Prof. Dr. Murat Egi  and researcher Tamer Özyiğit from Galatasaray University, along with engineer Burak Tekdamar and diver Ebru Öksüz from BURC, visited Özel İtalyan Lisesi to conduct an impactful event. The team arrived at the school at 9:30 AM and prepared the school’s theater hall for the presentation. The event was divided into two sessions for 11th and 12th-grade students, with a total of approximately 100 students attending.The presentation focused on the topic of "Marine Citizen Science." Students were informed about what citizen science is, how it works, and why it is important for society. Prof. Dr. Murat Egi led the first session, while Tamer Özyiğit led the second. The key topics covered during the presentation included:

• Blue Economy: The definition, significance, and future role of the blue economy.
• Global Efforts: Examples of international projects related to the blue economy.
• Patents and Research: Prof. Dr. Murat Egi's patents and their contributions to the blue economy.

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Hamiyyet - Feridun Sözen Children's Houses

On the day of the visit, several activities were organized to introduce children to career paths in scientific diving. The children's home consisted of three dormitories: one for boys aged 7 to 13, one for girls aged 7 to 13, and another for younger children aged 1 to 7. Members of the project visited each dormitory, presenting various career opportunities in scientific diving. Additionally, a scientific diving exhibition was set up in a separate area, and each group of children visited the exhibition throughout the day.The activities were organized into three separate groups, rotating between the three dormitories. The first group, led by Prof. Dr. Murat Egi and Research Assistant Eda Bahar, explained the available career paths in scientific diving. They interacted with the children, answered their questions, and introduced them to the Science in Blue project, its goals, and key partners.The second group, consisting of Dr. Pınar Uluer, Research Assistant İ. Ozan Çelikel, and Levent Albaş, presented an inspiring photography display to spark interest in the underwater world. Levent Albaş shared his personal diving experiences, while Dr. Uluer and Ozan Çelikel explained the different underwater research robots and their impact on marine research.The third group, led by Dr. Tamer Özyiğit and Research Assistant Timoteos Onur Özçelik, provided an explanation of how scientific diving works, demonstrating various techniques and equipment used in the field.In addition, Dr. Teoman Naskali and Burak Tekdamar hosted a separate exhibition on underwater technologies and equipment, welcoming children groups who visited and answering their questions about the equipment on display.The presentations and exhibition ran from 10 AM until 4 PM. The children showed great interest in the underwater world and diving equipment, asking many questions about marine life and how to become an underwater researcher.The event successfully raised awareness among the children about the exciting possibilities of scientific diving as a career and provided them with an interactive, hands-on learning experience.

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Saint Joseph High School

On November 28, 2024, Prof. Dr. Murat Egi from Galatasaray University, engineer Burak Tekdamar, and diver Ebru Öksüz from BURC participated in an event held at Saint-Joseph High School. The team arrived at the school at 9:30 AM. The theater hall was prepared for the presentation, and prior to the event, the school principal and IT team were consulted to finalize the arrangements. Tables for the exhibition were set up in the corridor by Burak Tekdamar and Ebru Öksüz. The presentation began at 10:25 AM with approximately 150 students in attendance. The session was led by Prof. Dr. Murat Egi, and the topic was "How can we help scientists to protect the life in the oceans and lakes." The discussion focused on citizen science projects aimed at preserving ocean and lake ecosystems. Topics Covered in the Presentation: Prof. Dr. Murat Egi’s studies on crystallization in the Bosphorus and the use of diving computers to measure the effects of climate change. The role of technology in protecting ocean and lake ecosystems. Proper and effective use of technology in scientific research. The presentation concluded at 11:10 AM. Post-Presentation Activities: Information about an upcoming robotics competition within the project was shared, encouraging students to participate. Students had the opportunity to engage directly with Prof. Dr. Murat Egi, asking detailed questions about topics they were curious about. The exhibition was visited by students, where Burak Tekdamar and Ebru Öksüz provided information about the equipment and projects on display. Small gifts were distributed to all participating students at the end of the event. The event at Saint-Joseph High School successfully enhanced students' awareness of environmental conservation and scientific research. By introducing citizen science projects and emphasizing the importance of technology in preserving marine and freshwater ecosystems, the event fostered a deeper understanding of these crucial topics. Students experienced an engaging and interactive session through the presentation and exhibition.

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ZİÇEV

On September 26th 2024, a visit was made to the Istanbul branch of ZİÇEV (The Foundation for the Education and Protection of Mentally Handicapped Children) within the scope of the Science in Blue Project. The event which was held between 14.00 and 15.30, carried out by Res. Asst. Alper YILDIZ from the project team, was completed with a total of 4 special education students and 2 supervisor teachers. Before starting the event, the students and teachers who are receiving education here were first given an oral explanation about our seas and invasive species. Then, the invasive species materials (Pufferfish and Lionfish) we brought with us, as well as the shells of the bivalvia species found in the Mediterranean, were introduced and it was explained how these materials can be used in jewelry-making. Later, from these materials, earrings, necklaces, coasters and bookmarks were produced from lionfish fins with the help of epoxy molds. Leather bracelets were made from puffer fish skins. In addition, items such as crowns and key chains were produced from bivalve shells.

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Yaşar Acar Science High School

On November 21th 2024, a visit was made to the Istanbul Yasar Acar Science High School (Istanbul/ Beylikdüzü) within the scope of the Science in Blue Project. The event, which was held between 10.30 and 12.30, carried out by Çağlar Çakır and Günay Dönmez from the project team, was completed with 45 students and 3 teachers. Participant students were 9th and 10th graders. First our project and its aims were explained. Then, questions such as "Who knows how to swim?" and "Who has dived before?" were asked to gain information about how interested the children are in the sea. Afterwards, the European Union projects that pioneered this issue, such as MPA-Engage, were mentioned. The event commenced with an assessment of participants' awareness regarding oceans, seas, and underwater cultural heritage. Subsequently, the researchers organizing the event shared their personal experiences of how they began their journey diving, aiming to inspire attendees to explore diving and engage in underwater scientific activities in the future. The presentation continued with discussions on the concepts of oceans and seas, highlighting their differences and fundamental characteristics. The presentation titled " Oceans Don’t Mix Up " was held under the keen interest of both the school administration and the students of Yaşar Acar Science High School. Topics such as the major oceans of the world, the question of whether oceans mix with each other, and the scientific reasons behind such phenomena (or the lack thereof) were thoroughly examined. Lastly, the significance of oceans and seas, along with strategies for their conservation, were conveyed to the audience. During the Q&A session, students had the opportunity to seek answers to their inquiries about the underwater world.As a result of the event, it is hoped that the students of Yaşar Acar Science High School have gained increased awareness of oceans, seas, and underwater cultural heritage, developed a greater curiosity about underwater environments and scientific exploration, and enhanced their consciousness regarding the sustainability of oceans and seas.

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Rıfat Ilgaz Secondary School

On Friday, November 22, 2024, at 1:30 PM, Dr. Çağlar Çakır and Günay Dönmez from the Science in Blue team held an event titled "Are the Oceans Getting Warmer?" at Hereke Rıfat Ilgaz Middle School. The event was attended by the school principal Sevnur Koç, vice-principal Hüseyin Dağdelen, teachers Taha Yasin Usta, Akın Şenol, Rabiye Yalçın, and students.During the presentation, Dr. Çağlar Çakır shared his personal story of how he started diving, aiming to motivate young people and increase their interest in the sport. The main theme of the presentation was the increasing temperature of the world's oceans and seas. The discussion began with the temperature changes of oceans and seas throughout history, emphasizing that in recent years, sea and ocean temperatures have reached historically high levels. This phenomenon was explained in detail through the concept of global warming. The causes of global warming and how this process affects ocean temperatures were discussed, followed by an exploration of the consequences of ocean warming on underwater ecosystems, global climate, and humanity. Additionally, information was provided on individual and societal actions to stop the warming of the oceans and seas.Throughout the presentation and the Q&A sessions, the young participants had the opportunity to ask questions about topics they were curious about. Possible solutions to ocean and sea overheating were also discussed. This event was an important step in raising awareness and encouraging young people to take action regarding the future of oceans and seas.

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Kurtuluş Primary School

As part of the Science in Blue project, Tamer Özyiğit and Murat Egi from Galatasaray University, along with Burak Tekdamar from BURC, visited Kurtuluş Elementary School on November 26, 2024. The team arrived at the school at 9:00 AM for a meeting with the school administration. After the meeting, the exhibition area was set up and materials were placed at the entrance of the administrative building.During the event, Tamer Özyiğit delivered a presentation titled "How to Find Treasures Underwater?" The students were divided into two groups: one group consisting of 1st and 2nd graders, and the other group consisting of 3rd and 4th graders. A total of approximately 45 students participated in the event.During the presentation, students were informed about underwater archaeology, diving equipment, and underwater robotics technologies. The exhibition materials were introduced interactively. Students showed great interest in the diving equipment and robots used in underwater archaeology, learning more about them. Additionally, they were educated about amphoras found underwater and their historical uses.The visit successfully increased the students' interest in the underwater world and archaeology. The event not only sparked curiosity about discovering treasures but also raised awareness about fields like underwater archaeology. At the end of the event, each participating student was given a gift.

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Özel Vizyon Koleji

On November 26, 2024, a visit was organized to Istanbul Vizyon College (Bahçeşehir Campus) as part of the "Science in Blue" project. The event, led by Research Assistant Alper YILDIZ from the project team, took place between 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM, with the participation of 90 students and 10 teachers. The students attending the event were from the 10th and 11th grades.The event began with a presentation about the project and its objectives. Following the introduction, engaging questions such as "Who can swim?" and "Who has dived before?" were asked to gauge the students' interest in the sea. This led to a discussion about European Union projects like MPA-Engage that focus on marine conservation. Detailed information was provided about fish counting methods and the importance of these counts.A Q&A session was held to address questions raised by the students and teachers on these topics. After the presentation, certificates of participation were presented to the school administrators. At the end of the event, the participating students were asked to complete a pre-prepared survey. Both the students and teachers expressed their satisfaction with the presentation and shared their interest in having similar events in the future.

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Kadriye Kemal Gürel Secondary School

A visit to Kadriye Kemal Gürel Primary School was organized for Friday, November 22, 2024, in Balıkesir, Altıeylül district. During the visit, a workshop was held in the school's robotics laboratory with 24 fourth-grade students (ages 9-10) from the Turkish Education System.The workshop was organized into two sessions, each consisting of three courses. In the first session, the "Science in Blue" project was introduced to the students. They were informed about the project's objectives, underwater research, the blue economy, and its expected impact on the country's development.The second session focused on robotics technology. Pınar Uluer explained the basic differences between machines and robots and provided a brief presentation on the components of robots, such as sensors, microcontrollers, and motors. She then introduced the robot fish Guizzo and demonstrated how to program it using a simple web-based interface. With the help of research assistants Eda Bahar and İsmail Ozan Çelikel and researcher Burak Tekdamar, all the students programmed the robot fish Guizzo using a block-based programming interface and implemented the code they wrote on the robot fish. The students were highly engaged in the task, asking numerous questions about how to operate the robot fish's motors to exhibit different swimming behaviors with its motorized tail fin, and how to display various patterns using the LED on the microcontroller's display. The researchers guided the students in finding answers to their questions and assisted them in writing and implementing different programs.After the workshop, Pınar Uluer gave a short seminar to a group of 100 students and their teachers about the motivation and goals of the project, underwater studies, and technologies developed for underwater life. She also introduced the robot fish and basic programming concepts to ensure the participation of 9-10 year-old students in STEAM education. The students showed great interest in the presentation and asked many questions about underwater research and robots.

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Zeliha - Mehmet Tuscuoğlu Secondary School

On the morning of Wednesday, November 6, 2024, we visited Zeliha Mehmet Tuşçuoğlu Middle School in Tekirdağ. During the visit, a presentation titled "Writing and Communicating Under Water" was delivered. Before the presentation, an exhibition on underwater communication was set up, giving students the opportunity to explore it both before and after the session. Additionally, approximately 20 students and their teachers from a nearby high school participated in the event.At 12:45 PM, Prof. Dr. Murat Egi delivered the presentation "Writing and Communicating Under Water." During the presentation, the project’s goals and objectives were shared with the students and teachers. Information about the underwater communication systems developed by BURC, one of the project’s partners, was also provided. Approximately 50 students attended the presentation.Afterward, a question-and-answer session was held with students and teachers. Participants asked questions about underwater communication technologies they were curious about. Prof. Dr. Murat Egi and the BURC team provided detailed answers, clarifying the topics covered in the presentation.Following the question-and-answer session, students were taken to the exhibition area in groups. Here, they experienced underwater communication by using the OceanReef communication system to interact with each other. They also tested the underwater tablet system developed by BURC. Burak Tekdamar and Ebru Öksüz from BURC gave students brief information about underwater technologies such as underwater robots, diving computers, and underwater scooters.

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Ataturk Anatolian High School

On Monday, November 26, 2024, at 10:00 AM, Gökçeada Atatürk Anatolia High School in Gökçeada/Çanakkale was visited. A presentation titled "Writing and Communicating Under Water" was given during the visit. Before the presentation, an exhibition on underwater communication was set up, allowing approximately 130 students to explore it before and after the session.At 10:30 AM, the presentation "Going Fast, Working Safe Under the Ocean" was delivered by Prof. Dr. Murat Egi. During the presentation, the professor explained the project’s objectives and goals to the students and teachers. Additionally, information was shared about the underwater communication systems developed by BURC, one of the project's partners. The presentation was attended by approximately 130 students.After the presentation, a question-and-answer session was held with the students and teachers. Participants asked questions about underwater communication and safety that they were curious about. Prof. Dr. Murat Egi and the BURC team provided detailed answers, clarifying the topics covered in the presentation.After the Q&A session, students visited the exhibition area in groups. They had the opportunity to experience underwater tools by inspecting them and also tried on the metal diving helmet. Burak Tekdamar from BURC gave the students brief information about underwater technologies such as underwater robots, diving computers, and underwater scooters.

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Altıeylül Science High School

The "Do It Yourself Kits to Protect the Oceans" event was organized by Tamer ÖZYİĞİT, Zeki UĞUZ, and Ufuk Faruk VARDAR at Altıeylül Science High School in Balıkesir. The event aimed to guide high school students on how technological tools, such as kits, might be adapted for underwater research, particularly to protect the oceans. The event consisted of two parts: a coding workshop and a presentation. The students worked on a project from start to finish, building the hardware from components, writing the necessary code, and ensuring their systems were compatible with marine environments. The coding workshop was presented to a smaller group of 24 students, while the presentation was open to the whole school. This allowed students to receive guidance both intellectually and in terms of coding for underwater research.In the event, students used ESP8266 microcontrollers to create an alarm system for protecting workers working near or in the sea. The alarm, triggered by a worker falling into the water, sent a signal to the control center via wireless communication, featuring a buzzer sound and illuminated LED. The students were taught how to use analog inputs and outputs, PWM (Pulse Width Modulation), and Mesh wireless network principles. The students also explored how the conductivity of water could be used to determine whether a diver was underwater.The presentation part of the event introduced the SCIENCEinBLUE project and its objectives, along with the "do-it-yourself kits" developed for ocean protection. Students learned about these tools and the advancements made in EU projects related to this topic. The event provided an opportunity for students to develop both their hardware and coding skills while also learning about marine protection technologies.

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Dr. Sadık Ahmet Anatolian High School

As part of the "Science in the Blue" project's school visits in the Marmara Region, an activity titled "Life in Lakes" was conducted on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at 1:30 PM at Dr. Sadik Ahmet Anadolu Lisesi, located within the borders of Istanbul Province.Dr. Sadik Ahmet Anadolu Lisesi began its educational journey in 1995 with 33 students. Initially established as a Foreign Language-Oriented High School, it was transformed into Dr. Sadık Ahmet Anadolu Sağlık Meslek Lisesi in 2013, offering education in Nursing, Anesthesia, Emergency Medical Technician, and Dental Prosthetics. By the 2018-2019 academic year, the school was gradually converted back into an Anatolian High School and continues its operations under the name Dr. Sadik Ahmet Anadolu Lisesi. The school offers instruction in English and German as foreign languages, with a student population of 968, a teaching staff of 45, and 3 administrative personnel.The event included a presentation by Dr. Emine Şükran Okudan from the project team. It took place in the school’s conference hall with the participation of teacher Abdullah Turan and 100 students.The participating students were first introduced to the "When Do Scientists Dive Underwater?" presentation at the event as part of the Blue Science Project. Following this, Dr. Emine Şükran Okudan, who delivered the presentation, shared her journey into diving and the scientific dives she has conducted, aiming to inspire curiosity and interest in the underwater world and diving among the young audience—information about the R5. MPA-ENGAGE reference project was also provided, highlighting its relevance to the event.After this introduction, the presentation began. Topics covered included the formation of lakes, types of lakes, organisms found in lakes and their food chains, factors affecting life in lakes, threats to lake ecosystems, and measures needed to protect life in lakes.

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Güzeltepe Primary School

As part of the Science in Blue project, our team members Çağlar Çakır and Günay Dönmez visited Gebze Güzeltepe Elementary School on November 22, 2024. The presentation, titled "Legacy of the Seas," began at 11:00 AM and garnered significant interest from the school administration and the target group, fourth-grade students. Initially, the awareness of curious participants regarding oceans, seas, and underwater cultural heritage was assessed. Following this, the researchers conducting the event shared their own stories of how they began diving to inspire participants to take up diving and engage in scientific activities underwater in the future. In the continuation of Çağlar Çakır's presentation, information was provided on the concepts of oceans and seas, the differences between them, the main features of oceans, the world's oceans and seas, the concept of underwater cultural heritage, the elements that constitute underwater cultural heritage, and the importance of preserving and passing these on to future generations. During the Q&A session, students found answers to their questions about underwater topics that piqued their curiosity. Even after the presentation concluded, the students remained highly interested, making the event enjoyable. We hope that as a result of this event, the students of Gebze Güzeltepe Elementary School have gained awareness about oceans, seas, and underwater cultural heritage, developed an interest in underwater science and diving, and become more conscious about the sustainability of oceans and seas.

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Galatasaray High School

How Deep Can We Dive? 

Event at Galatasaray High School. An exciting event aimed at introducing the mysteries of the underwater world to young minds took place on September 18, 2024, at Galatasaray High School. The school's 1st Exam Hall was carefully prepared to host a diving equipment exhibition and a presentation titled em>"How Deep Can We Dive?"/em>.strong>Event Highlights/strong>The exhibition began at 9:00 AM, with students attending in groups throughout the day. First, 6th and 7th graders explored the event, followed by 8th and 9th graders, and finally, 10th and 11th graders. A total of 130 students participated in this fascinating experience, learning about the wonders of the underwater world.The program addressed intriguing questions such as:ul>

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