Fostering Public Awareness related to Polar Regions and Global Climate Change Through 

Education Outreach Programs

Dr. Burcu OZSOYITU POLAR RESEARCH CENTER (PolReC)

For the purpose of Education and Outreach:

• Engage in national and international courses, seminars, conferences and suchlike activities.

• Carry out trainings intended to raise public awareness about National Arctic and Antarctic Research Programs,

• Dissemination of scientific and educational information on globalclimate change, polar regions and similar issues

• Create a sustainable environment for science, dissemination,presentation, education and outreach

• APECS Turkey was founded in 2013

• In 2015 Polar Research Team (PolSTeam) was founded to have organic body with APECS Turkey. 

• Since than APECS Turkey is a growing family with undergraduate and graduate students along with public involvement.

• APECS Turkey has a big E&O program, executed by PolSTeam members; 

• Visit about 30‐60 primary, middle and high schools, each year,• Make age oriented presentations about climate change and polar 

regions,• Organize public events and surveys,

To reach more children;

• Teach more than 150 science teachers all around the Turkey with almost half of the teachers founding polar clubs (reach to 60 clubs * 10‐20 students/year) 

• During club times (1 h / 20 weeks) they follow a curriculum designed by APECS Turkey

• Developed a project named “Supporting Educators for Collaborating on Polar Regions Project (SECoP)”, is supported by ITU PolReC to involve teachers to Arctic and Antarctic expeditions forK‐12 education opportunities,

• APECS Turkey is working with Ministry of Education to include  more climate and polar issues to national curriculum for K‐12.

POLAR PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITIONS

E&O THROUGH POLICITICS

E&O THROUGH MEDIA PRESENCE

HISTORY & POLAR MUSEUM Know the history! Invest in the future...

*ITU PolReC supported all participants accommodation and funded all travel. (http://www.polarresearch.center/en/)

APECS Turkey shared experiences on the topics; (Bulgaria, Brazil, France, India, Mexico, Norway, Russia, South Africa, UK, USA) – How APECS Turkey solved some of difficulties,– How can we improve the E&O program and adapt to other countries and collaborate with them,

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

a) PolReC’s official site. b) PolReC’s twitter page. http://www.polarresearch.center @ITU_PolReC