MEETING STARTED IN TURKEY
Subject: Endangered Animals
Aralık/2022

What is "Discovering Stem in Nature"?
"Discovering Stem in Nature" is an Erasmus+ Ka210 project carried out in partnership with Lithuania, North Macedonia, Estonia and Turkey. Within the scope of the project, studies are carried out for preschool students to discover Stem in nature. It was decided to examine learning from recycling in North Macedonia, learning from plants in Lithuania, learning from animals in Turkey and learning from water in Estonia. The 3rd meeting of the project was held at Denizciler Mustafa Kemal Primary School in Hatay/Iskenderun. The subject of the project in Turkey is endangered animals.
Project Partners became cartoons and met on the board The board, which was prepared to add humor to the project and to make the project fun, received full marks from all partners. | Friendly Welcome to Partners The project partners were warmly welcomed by the host school staff. | Project Subject: Animals From here please... |
Project Partners became cartoons and met on the board
The board, which was prepared to add humor to the project and to make the project fun, received full marks from all partners.
Partners Were Welcomed With Folk Dances
The folk dance show prepared by Selda Temir and her students was watched with interest by the project partners, parents and students.
folk dance Selda Temir's students performed local Turkish dances. | folk dance The little students welcomed the guests with our local dances. | caucasian dance The Caucasian show was highly appreciated. |
Project Meeting
In the meeting we held with our partners, the school principal Eyyup Korkmaz introduced the Turkish education system. Preschool teacher Rukiye Akyol gave information about the project objectives and meeting schedule.
Turkish education system was introduced. School Principal Eyyup Korkmaz informed the project partners about the Turkish education system. | The project objectives were explained. Information about the project objectives and program flow was made by Rukiye Akyol, Turkey coordinator. | Starting the meeting... At the beginning of the meeting, it was reflected in the photo that all the partners were excited and happy. |
Turkish education system was introduced.
School Principal Eyyup Korkmaz informed the project partners about the Turkish education system.
The project objectives were explained.
Information about the project objectives and program flow was made by Rukiye Akyol, Turkey coordinator.
Lesson Topic: Endangered Animals
Kindergarten teacher Rukiye Akyol introduced the subject of animals with her students. Project partners also attended the conference. She explained that animals are divided into 3 groups as animals that live on land, in water and that can fly, that some animals are extinct, and some animals are about to become extinct. The students were divided into groups. Elif Demir had the students make the mask of the endangered mountain gazelle. Nadide Yıldırım had the students do a reflection experiment with mirrors. Rukiye Akyol and her students created a representative conservation area for the endangered stag beetle.
After the event, the gifts prepared by our students and parents were presented to our partners by our students.
Reflection Experiment As our partners experience the reflection experiment. | Reflection Experiment The reflection experiment attracted a lot of attention from the students. | Gazelle Mask Gazelle masks were made by the students. |
Gazelle Mask As Ausra guides our students in making gazelle masks... | Stag Beetle Sanctuary created A conservation area was created for the endangered stag beetle. | Stag Bug Conservation Area All animals deserve protection. |

Drama Show
The drama show "Little House in the Forest" was performed by Rukiye Akyol's students. Noticing the abandoned house in the forest, the mouse decides to live there. Then the rabbits, foxes, dogs, cats and bears take turns spotting the house. At the end of the show, which includes dialogues between them, all animals become friends and live together at home. The performances of the students in the show were applauded by the parents and partners.
cute animals Excited waiting of students before drama | students on stage A show that mixes excitement and happiness. | stage performance Students gained self-confidence with the drama performance. |
Gift to Our Friends in Nature
Mangers and animal shelters were built to be gifted to animals living in nature. Under the leadership of Gülümser Korkmaz, the animal shelter and manger were made by painting and combining the bins. The teams formed by each country completed their rosters by making symbols specific to their own countries. They were then released to nature.
Painting first The boxes are meticulously painted. This is the artistic part of the work. Each partner drew the symbol of their country on the boxes. | Lithuanian team happy The partners are pretty good at painting the boxes. | Estonian team works The Estonian team stated that the work done is both a fun and useful activity. |
Painting first
The boxes are meticulously painted. This is the artistic part of the work. Each partner drew the symbol of their country on the boxes.
North Macedonian Team The North Macedonia team has done its job in earnest. Finally, a nice piece of work came out. | Mounting Stage The boxes were mounted in wood with a drill. The partners worked actively at every stage of the work. | Final Birds were presented with gifts. |

Day 2 event: Long Live Mountain Gazelle
On the second day of our project, we organized a cultural trip to the endangered mountain gazelle production center, which is only in Turkiye/Hatay and Israel. Nuri Akın, Forestry Engineer at the center, gave information about how the mountain gazelle lives, how and what it is fed, and why its extinction is endangered. We had the chance to see mountain gazelles up close.
Expert Training Forest Engineer Nuri Akın gave information about mountain gazelle and endangered species. | Mountain Gazelle Habitat What do mountain gazelles need to live, what kind of environment do they live in? We found the answer to these by visiting the mountain gazelle habitat. | Mountain Gazelle Habitat Looking for a mountain gazelle trail |
Expert Training
Forest Engineer Nuri Akın gave information about mountain gazelle and endangered species.
Mountain Gazelle Habitat
What do mountain gazelles need to live, what kind of environment do they live in? We found the answer to these by visiting the mountain gazelle habitat.

Saint Pierre Church We visited the world's first cave church and the first church called "Christian" to Christians. | Antakya Archaeological Museum We visited the museum, where there are important relics of history and historical artifacts. | Antakya Archaeological Museum History, art, culture... |
Day 3 Event: Visiting District Representatives
Our Erasmus+ project started on the 3rd day of Discovering STEM in Nature with a visit to the District Governor of Iskenderun, Murat Sefa Demiryurek. The District Governor was very interested in our project and its partners. He expressed his satisfaction with the successful execution of the project. Then we visited our District Director of National Education Ali Haytaz. Ali Haytaz said that he was very pleased with the implementation of the projects. He also said that with these projects, we had the opportunity to represent our country and our province abroad in the best possible way.
Visit to the Governor of Iskenderun Iskenderun District Governor Murat Sefa Demiryurek hosted the project partners in his office.He talked about the importance of Iskenderun for Turkey. interested in the partners one by one. | Iskenderun National Education Directorate visit. Iskenderun National Education Director Ali Haytaz hosted the project partners in his office. He asked questions about the education system in the partners' countries. It was a conversational meeting. | Iskenderun National Education Directorate Photo taken with school principals in each country. |
Visit to the Governor of Iskenderun
Iskenderun District Governor Murat Sefa Demiryurek hosted the project partners in his office.He talked about the importance of Iskenderun for Turkey. interested in the partners one by one.
Iskenderun National Education Directorate visit.
Iskenderun National Education Director Ali Haytaz hosted the project partners in his office. He asked questions about the education system in the partners' countries. It was a conversational meeting.
Let's Get to Know the Schools in Turkey
We visited Naciye Suna Oktay Tekin Kindergarten and Mavi Child Kindergarten. Students and teachers at Naciye Suna Tekin Oktay Kindergarten performed a rhythm show for our partners. After the school trip at the Blue Child Academy, a special treat for Hatay was given. Both school staff took great care of the guests. Our partners expressed that they like both schools very much.
Animal love at Blue Child Academy... All partners were very happy when the cute dog at the Blue Child Academy welcomed the guests. | friendly welcome The school administrators, staff and students welcomed the guests with a smiling face. | |
Naciye Suna Tekin Oktay Kindergarten Visit The students welcomed their guests with local costumes and chocolates. | rhythm show The great performances of the little students left everyone in awe. They conquered the hearts with their rhythm work. | smiling school Naciye Suna Tekin Oktay Kindergarten administration, staff and students hosted their guests in accordance with Turkish traditions. |
Naciye Suna Tekin Oktay Kindergarten Visit
The students welcomed their guests with local costumes and chocolates.
rhythm show
The great performances of the little students left everyone in awe. They conquered the hearts with their rhythm work.
Project Presentations Were Made
Our partners presented their animal-related activities at their school. In addition, the partners introduced endangered animals living in their countries.
Lithuania Presentation Project coordinator Ausra Setkauskiene from Lithuania made her presentation. | Presentation of Estonia Jevgenia Pavlova from Estonia made the presentation. | presentation of north macedonia Stanka Stamenkovska from North Macedonia made the presentation. |
Students' Shows and Animal Costume Fashion Show Was Very Admired
The show prepared by the class of preschool teacher Elif Demir was appreciated by the audience. After the show, Rukiye Akyol's students got full marks from the project partners with their animal costume fashion show from recycling. The show and fashion show ended with applause by the project partners and parents. The excitement and happiness of the students was evident on their faces.
Star Class Excited wait of students before the show... | awesome performance Elif Demir and her students received great acclaim with the song "Bayrağım". | end of show The amazing students of the Stars Class, their parents and the amazing partners of the project... |
Animal Costume fashion show Rukiye Akyol's students received great applause with the costume fashion show prepared from recycling. | Colorful A painting of colorful costumes. | After the Fashion Show A colorful ending with students, parents and partners. |
Payas Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Complex and Mosque Visit
Payas Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Complex and Mosque were visited. The guide, who was in charge of the complex, explained the importance of the complex, the castle and the mosque. The olive tree in its historical building is 1350 years old. The tree, which produces 300 kilograms of product per year, is the oldest fruit-bearing olive tree in the world. The olive tree, which was highly appreciated by our partners, left its mark on the trip.
Sokullu Mehmet Pasha Complex and Cin Tower The historical site attracted a lot of attention of the partners. | Giant Turkish Flag | Olive tree-Monumental Tree The 1350-year-old tree was the most interesting place for the partners. |

Day 4 event: Art that Families Do with Their Children...
The 4th day activities started with an exhibition of painting and art activities prepared by Elif Demir with her students' families. The activities received full marks from the project partners.
Handwork by students and parents The exhibited works were highly appreciated by the project partners. | Smurfs A colorful frame from the exhibition | Hello Giraffe Dzintra was caught on camera reviewing the work. |
Project pose The pose of Jevgenia at the event prepared by the parents... | Thanks to Elif Sanela thanked Elif Demir for the activities prepared by her students and parents. |
Hama Beads Workshop
Under the leadership of Nadide Yıldırım, the project partners worked on hama beads. In the study of animals, everyone gave their full attention to the study. It was emphasized that the study was an example of coding. They turned it into a fridge ornament with a magnet attached to the back of the work to keep it as a souvenir.They thanked our teacher Nadide Yıldırım.
Hama Beads Small, challenging but fun... | Nijole is happy It was not overlooked that Nijole was happy in her hama bead works. | Super duo Stanka and Selda made a good couple. |
a fun activity Vaska's happiness | Nadide, Ene and her fox The works that emerged at the end of the event were presented to the partners as fridge decorations. | nice event |

Freedom Demonstration... Look, freedom is on my right, on my left, behind me, above
The students were very excited for the "Freedom" song performance by our students. After the show, the flying balloons that the students flew together with their project partners created magnificent images. The joy of the students made the project partners smile as well. Let joy and freedom shake the world, as in the lyrics.
freedom show It was noticed that the students were very happy at the freedom song performance. | Flying balloon show Both the lyrics of the song and the balloons attracted the attention of the audience. | colorful A colorful show |
What are these kids thinking? I have to finish the show before the balloon flies | Freedom and flying baloonIn the show that the students were excitedly preparing for, what they were most curious about was flying the flying balloon. Their excitement at the end of the show was worth seeing. | End of Show Both partners and students are happy... |
Freedom and flying baloon
In the show that the students were excitedly preparing for, what they were most curious about was flying the flying balloon. Their excitement at the end of the show was worth seeing.
Certificate Ceremony
After the successful meeting, the certificates of the project partners were presented by the school principal Eyyup Korkmaz.

Iskenderun City Tour
Iskenderun beach, Millet Park, inner city were visited with partners. They said that they admired the warm-blooded nature of the people of Iskenderun, their food and mild weather.
Iskenderun weather The thing that attracted the most attention of the partners was the mild weather of Iskenderun. | Iskenderun monument area Being in a temperate climate in Iskenderun was very interesting to the partners. | Project billbaord The Estonian team posed in front of the project billbaord. |
Iskenderun National Park The weather is nice, the partners are friendly... | Iskenderun National Park With beautiful people... | Nice trip Nice trip in Iskenderun |
Day 5 event: Hatay Expo Area Trip
The last day event of our project started with a tour of the Hatay Expo area. The area of endemic animals and plants living in the expo area was visited. Milleyha wetland miniature was visited. The project partners received expert training on the importance of this place. They had the opportunity to examine different animals and plants in a virtual environment. The first living plant museum in the world was visited. In the aromatic plants section, the partners had the opportunity to see how the oils obtained from the plants grown in the region were formed. Afterwards, the lake area and archaeological excavation area in the Expo area were visited. After the Hatay Expo tour, which everyone admired, Antakya city center and Uzun bazaar were visited.
Hatay Expo Area trip The project partners were hosted very well in the Hatay Expo area, where many different events were brought together. Expo officials toured each area one by one. | Where are Sanela and Aleksandra looking? They are examining the site of archaeological excavations at the Expo site. | Expo Lake area The scenery is beautiful, the friendship is beautiful. |
Hatay Expo Area trip
The project partners were hosted very well in the Hatay Expo area, where many different events were brought together. Expo officials toured each area one by one.
Where are Sanela and Aleksandra looking?
They are examining the site of archaeological excavations at the Expo site.
Flowers Every area in the Expo area is beautiful. | Antakya trip | Milleyha wetland There is a miniature of Milleyha Wetland in Hatay Samandag in the Expo area. Milleyha wetland is an important place for birds and animals living in the area. |

Sad Farewell
We are very sad that the meeting in Iskenderun has ended. After a hectic 5 day event, it's time to say goodbye. We are sad to leave. but we are happy to meet at the meeting in the event in March. See you at the next meeting