The Bilkent University National Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM) offers engaging and interactive scientific activities tailored for middle and high school students as part of its mission to contribute to the widespread dissemination of science, enable younger generations to discover their potential, and promote interactive and accessible science and technology. Through this initiative, UNAM hosted students and teachers from Ankara Erman Ilıcak Science High School on Wednesday,April 16, 2025, as part of the “UNAM Science Workshop: Creative Experiences in the Light of Science.”
In addition to exploring UNAM’s impressive infrastructure, students had the opportunity to nurture their scientific curiosity through fun and engaging hands-on workshops. Under the guidance of Dr. Ergül and her team, they were able to observe the development of model organisms such as zebrafish and nematodes using light microscopes. They also isolated their own DNA and turned it into unique necklaces, gaining a deeper awareness of genetic science. With Dr. Sezin Galioğlu Özaltuğ, they explored the step-by-step synthesis of nanomaterials and learned about the importance of advanced instrumentation used in the process. Finally, under the supervision of Asst. Prof. Mustafa Ordu, students discovered how light travels through optical fibers by generating and transmitting light signals themselves—offering them a hands-on introduction to the fundamentals of modern communication technologies.
