11.2.1. Public access to buildings
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11.2.1. Public access to buildings
Middle East Technical University (METU) provides completely free and open public access to its iconic cultural monuments, heritage landscape sites, and specialized science exhibition centers. As part of its social responsibility mission, METU welcomes local citizens, school groups, researchers, and international visitors to campus landmarks—most notably the Tree of Science Monument and the METU Society and Science Application and Research Center (TBM).
1. Free Public Monuments & Cultural Landmarks: The Tree of Science
- Cultural Significance: Designed by renowned sculptor Tamer Başoğlu and architect Ersen Gürsel, the Tree of Science (Bilim Ağacı) is a world-renowned landmark monument located at the main A1 (Eskişehir Road) entrance of the METU Ankara campus. Dedicated under former Rector Kemal Kurdaş, it serves as an open-air cultural heritage monument representing scientific progress and public enlightenment.
- Access Guarantee: The monument and its surrounding landscape are permanently open and accessible to the public, citizens, and campus visitors free of charge 24/7.
2. Open Access Science Facilities: METU Society and Science Center (TBM)
Established in 2006 as Türkiye's first dedicated Society and Science Center, METU TBM hosts an average of 30,000 visitors annually. TBM provides structured open-access science exhibitions, interactive halls, and public festivals (Bilimin Ev Hali, ODTÜ’de Bilim Eğlencelidir!). All educational activities, museum tours, and workshops at TBM are provided 100% Free of Charge (Ücretsiz) for all age groups, ranging from pre-school to adults.
Through a public online reservation system, public school groups and visitors access guided interactive sessions:
METU Society and Science Center (TBM) Free Public Event Packages
|
Event Name |
Fee |
Participant Level & Capacity |
Event Schedule & Days |
Short Event Description |
|
Historical Journey of Technology |
Free |
All grade levels (including pre-school) |
Monday (14:00) |
Exploration of technological development in Anatolia and obsolete historical items; live replica workshops of Seljuk, Ottoman, and Republican professions (blacksmith, copper shop, pharmacy, photo lab, radio repair shop). |
|
Science Through Experiments |
Free |
5th, 6th, and 7th Grades |
Friday (13:30) |
An interactive workshop allowing students to observe hands-on physics and chemistry experiments accompanied by instructors to foster scientific curiosity. |
|
From Waste to Fertilizer with Worms! |
Free |
5th and 6th Grades |
Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri (10:00) |
Hands-on vermicomposting workshop teaching children how organic waste is transformed into nutrient-rich fertilizer, building early environmental awareness. |
|
3D Modeling with Code Blocks |
Free |
6th and 7th Grades |
Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri (10:00) |
Designing 3D geometric models using laptops and visual code blocks to enhance systematic, algorithmic, and spatial thinking skills. |
|
Göbekli Tepe |
Free |
5th, 6th, and 7th Grades |
Tuesday and Thursday (10:00) |
An interactive reenactment workshop focused on discovering archaeological cultural heritage, fostering preservation awareness, and developing team collaboration skills. |
|
Time Capsule |
Free |
3rd and 4th Grades |
Wednesday (10:00) |
An engaging activity where participants document their dreams and future goals using a time capsule to build temporal self-awareness. |
|
Dinosaur Footprints |
Free |
3rd and 4th Grades |
Friday (10:00) |
A paleontology workshop exploring fossil study techniques, extinct species, and prehistoric life through fun interactive exercises. |
|
GO Event |
Free |
6th, 7th, and 8th Grades |
Monday (10:00) |
An introductory workshop teaching the history, rules, and strategic thinking exercises (Atari-Go) of the ancient strategy game GO. |