The “Science and Technology Festival” carried out on the Near East University campus brought together 300 students from the Near East Preschool and Near East Primary School with science along with 30 experimental tables prepared by 70 prospective teachers.
The “Science and Technology Festival”, which has turned to be a tradition by the Near East University Atatürk Faculty of Education, brought together prospective teachers with preschool and primary school students. The event, which was realized in cooperation with the Near East University Atatürk Faculty of Education, Primary Education Department, Classroom Teaching Department and Computer and Educational Technologies Teaching Departments, was held in the Foyer Area of the Atatürk Faculty of Education. The students of the Near East Preschool and Near East Primary School spent a day intertwined with science with the advantage of their schools being located on the university campus. Teachers of future also gained professional experience by having the opportunity to apply what they learned.

The event, which was attended by academicians, students and experts working in the field of educational technologies from various faculties, had the opportunity to experience how technology can be integrated with education. The Science and Technology Festival, coordinated by Prof. Dr. Engin Baysen, Head of the Department of Mathematics and Science Education at Atatürk Faculty of Education, was contributed by Prof. Dr. Umut Akçıl, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Didem İşlek, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Fatma Köprülü and Expert Hunat Ayşe Öztoprak.

In the event, 70 prospective teachers prepared 30 different experiment tables for children. Teachers of future, who organized interactive activities, conveyed scientific concepts to children in an entertaining way. Approximately 300 children from Near East Preschool and Near East Primary School visited the festival in groups. Children, who interacted one-on-one with prospective teachers at the experiment tables, had the opportunity to conduct experiments and contribute to the experiments conducted. The little ones, who had fun while learning, had an unforgettable day full of science.

Concept, emotion and curiosity!
The event, which included concept learning, high-level concept teaching, surprising experiments, and applications aimed at eliminating misconceptions, included five different types of experiments where proverbs and daily experiences were also scientifically proven. In presentations focusing particularly on surprising experiments, it was explained in detail how these methods can be integrated into the teaching process and how they can be brought together with children more effectively. Thanks to this interactive approach, participants experienced not only theoretical knowledge but also the power of practice-based learning, and had the opportunity to see the importance of innovative and effective methods in teaching up close.

The festival, which provided important gains for both children and prospective teachers, gave participants the opportunity to get to know a real classroom environment up close. Prospective teachers, who actively participated in stages such as preparing experiments, making presentations and communicating effectively with children, had the chance to develop their professional skills. The Science and Technology Festival, which was organized for the fifth time this year, reflected the interactive educational approach of the Near East University Atatürk Faculty of Education, which is based on scientific thinking and creative teaching.