Children and teachers discovered nature through art

Izmir University of Economics (IUE) launched a special project that blends nature with art for children and teachers. Supported by TUBITAK, the project titled ‘Doğada Sanat Var’  (There is Art in Nature) brought together 68 children aged between 5–6 and 7–10 in the grove on campus, where they participated in art workshops guided by expert trainers. The children had a joyful time learning through play and exploring nature. In another phase of the project, training sessions were held for 70 volunteer teachers. These teachers had the opportunity to develop themselves in workshops covering fields such as textile design, music, drama, storytelling, nature, visual arts, and photography.

Carried out by the IUE Children's University Research and Application Center within the scope of TUBITAK’s 4004 Nature Education and Science Schools Support Program, the project ‘There is Art in Nature’ also received support from the Izmir Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services, Izmir Provincial Directorate of National Education, and the Izmir Chamber of Commerce (IZTO). As one of the few centers in Turkey that is a member of the European Children's Universities Network (EUCUNET), IUE Children’s University continues to stand out with exemplary and innovative projects.

‘RECYCLING’ THEME

Thanks to the project, children had the chance to experience a creative learning environment born from the union of nature and art. Activities integrating themes like stone, soil, water, living beings in nature, and recycling were carried out within the nature and science education program. In addition to visual arts like painting and ceramics, children worked in fields such as photography, textile design, drama, music, and storytelling.

“THEY DESIGNED THEIR OWN T-SHIRTS AND BAGS”

In the textile workshop, children designed their own t-shirts and bags by dyeing them using the Hapa Zome technique with materials they collected from nature. In the photography workshop, they practiced painting with light and sun printing. In the drama and storytelling workshops, they created their own stories inspired by nature. They also engaged in leaf painting and clay activities in the art workshop.

 “WE WILL ANALYZE THE RESULTS”

Ezgi Oral Bozkurtoğlu, Lecturer and Director of the IUE Children's University Research and Application Center, stated that the primary aim of the project is to examine the effects of a nature- and art-based science education program for preschool and primary school children. Bozkurtoğlu said, “As part of the project, we also planned science and art workshops for teachers who directly interact with and support the development of children. We will analyze the effects of the educational program on both students and teachers and evaluate these experiences scientifically.”

“THE PROJECT WILL CONTINUE”

Emphasizing that teachers showed great interest in the project, Bozkurtoğlu said, “The teachers expressed a growing need for such creative and holistic educational programs. We aim to support our project with academic work, compile the outcomes into a booklet, and reach more educators. Next year, we plan to apply to TUBITAK again to carry out the second phase of the project.”