The winners of the “20th Middle School Students Research Projects Competition,” hosted by Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU), have been announced. Samsun ranked as the province with the highest number of first-place awards across the region.

The Samsun Regional Exhibition of the competition, organized for the 20th time by TÜBİTAK, was completed under the hosting of OMU. The Samsun region covered the provinces of Amasya, Çorum, Giresun, Kastamonu, Ordu, Samsun, Sinop, and Tokat. A total of 3,280 projects were submitted across 10 fields, and 100 projects qualified to be exhibited.

Projects advancing to the Türkiye finals determined

The award ceremony, held at the Atatürk Congress and Culture Center, began with opening speeches. TÜBİTAK Project Competitions Samsun Regional Coordinator Prof. Dr. Yıldıray Topcu, who delivered the first speech, stated:

“This competition, held simultaneously in 12 regional centers, includes the provinces of Amasya, Çorum, Giresun, Kastamonu, Ordu, Samsun, Sinop, and Tokat in the Samsun region. This year, with 3,280 projects at the middle school level, the Samsun region became the region with the highest number of project submissions in Türkiye. Today, we are not only opening an award ceremony; we are witnessing a unique scientific journey where curiosity, effort, patience, and dreams come together. Remember, the most important thing in this journey is not the awards you receive. What truly matters is learning how to think, not being afraid to ask questions, and believing in your own ideas. Each of you here is a winner of this journey, because the scientific journey is not a destination but a process that develops individuals.”

“3,280 project applications came from our region”

OMU Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Çetin Kurnaz, who spoke afterwards, said:

“This year, as the Samsun region, we achieved a significant success. Out of a total of 19,436 project applications across Türkiye, 3,280 came from our region, placing the Samsun region in first place. This result clearly demonstrates the scientific potential of our region and the determination of our youth. It is a great source of pride for all of us. You have not only presented your projects but also shown that you are individuals who question, explore, and produce solutions. Science is not about having the right answers, but about having the courage to ask the right questions. You have shown this courage. I sincerely congratulate you all.”

Samsun leads in first-place awards

In the competition, Samsun achieved 4 first-place, 1 second-place, and 3 third-place awards; Tokat earned 3 first-place, 1 second-place, and 1 third-place awards; Ordu secured 3 first-place, 3 second-place, and 4 third-place awards; Amasya received 2 first-place, 1 second-place, and 1 third-place awards; Giresun achieved 1 first-place and 2 second-place awards; Çorum earned 1 first-place, 1 second-place, and 1 third-place awards; Sinop achieved 1 first-place; and Kastamonu received 1 second-place award.