From Bursa to the Poles: Scientific Experiences and Educational Perspectives Shared on the Same Stage

As part of the series “Beyond the School: Education Series II”, which aims to enhance prospective teachers’ interdisciplinary awareness by introducing them to out-of-school learning environments, an event was held under the title “From Bursa to the Poles.” The event took place on May 28, 2025, at the İbrahim Akın Conference Hall of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office.

One of the keynote speakers, Dr. Cpt. Sinan Yirmibeşoğlu from TÜBİTAK Polar Research Institute, shared striking experiences from his fieldwork and scientific studies in polar regions. In his talk, Yirmibeşoğlu highlighted the fact that certain terms related to polar science are incorrectly adopted in Turkey and emphasized the consequences these misconceptions have on scientific communication. Participants had the opportunity to gain in-depth insights into the strategic importance of polar research and Turkey’s contributions in this field.

Another speaker, Expert Teacher Seda Oskay Yirmibeşoğlu from Tuzla BILSEM in Istanbul, connected her Antarctic experiences with her teaching profession. She shared how her field observations were transformed into educational practices, offering concrete suggestions on how scientific discovery and environmental awareness can be integrated into the classroom. Her presentation strongly reminded the audience that science is not confined to laboratories but is intertwined with life, the environment, and students themselves.

The event was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dilek Zeren Özer from the Department of Science Education and Assist. Prof. Dr. Sema Nur Güngör from the Department of Early Childhood Education. Throughout the session, the impact of out-of-school learning environments on learning motivation, curiosity, and scientific literacy was comprehensively discussed.

“From Bursa to the Poles” stood out as a model academic gathering that built a bridge between polar sciences and education, attracting keen interest from students, academics, and educational stakeholders.