STUDENTS OF THE FUTURE GET A TASTE OF UNIVERSITY LIFE

Izmir University of Economics (IUE) is opening its doors to the future scientists. Today’s children will be shaping the science world of tomorrow. Children will be receiving training on science, technology, engineering, mathematics, mind games, software, robotics, and philosophy at Izmir University of Economics Children’s Academy. The deadline for applications for the training intended for age groups 5-6, 7-8, and 9-10 is set as February 14. The first part of the training courses that will take place on Saturdays will end on May 27.

Mehmet Ali Atakan, Secondary Education Coordinator, Izmir University of Economics, pointed that based on the study conducted by NASA, level of creativity in humans was 98% at the age of 5, 30% at the age of 10, 12% at the age of 15, and %2 at the age of 25 and over. Atakan, who stated that their primary objective was to get children familiarized with science and university environment at an early age, said, “Being successful in one area is not enough anymore in the 21^st century. This century requires individuals with strategic and analytical thinking skills who can produce more creative ideas in a shorter period of time. Our children will be able to improve their skills and talents through these trainings”.

Atakan reported that the study workshops were prepared under the guidance of IUE Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Murat Aşkar, and IUE Lecturers Prof. Dr. Yaşar Güneri Şahin, Prof. Dr. İlgi Şemin, Prof. Dr. Kemal Yürümezoğlu, Asst. Prof. Dr. Burak Karabay, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Melike Yiğit Koyunkaya, and he said that children would be engaged in number of independent activities in the workshops.  

‘Parents will be part of this process’

Atakan, who said that interdisciplinary interaction would increase in the workshops, and observing how children used knowledge in different subjects become easier, stated the following:

“Students will get a chance to interact and learn together with cognitive peers. Their interests and areas of competency will be supported by expert trainers. We developed instruction programs which consider the speed and depth of knowledge, skills, and motivation that fits learning areas unique to each student. With this object in mind, we aim to improve scientific thinking skills of our students in a university atmosphere. Additionally, parents will be involved in this learning process along with their children. There will be parent information seminars.”

‘From mind games to philosophy’

Atakan reported that children will be attending workshops on science, technology, engineering, mathematics, mind games, software, robotics, and philosophy.