Sabancı Foundation Turkey’s Changemakers Program continues to share the unique stories of extraordinary people who contribute to social development. This week’s Changemaker is Hakan Habip who founded the Science Heroes Association in order to engage children with art, science, technology, and teamwork while preparing them for the future.

The first aim of the Science Heroes Association is to form teams from Turkey and participate in the First Lego League (FLL) which is a global robotics tournament organized every year. Reaching 170 thousand children in 60 countries, participation in the tournament grows 20% each year. Children aged between 9 - 16 can participate in this event by forming a team and designing robots that can solve mechanical problems. A new problem is defined each year in the tournament and the students are expected to come up with potential solutions and project ideas. Teams can be formed by private schools, public schools, or non-governmental organizations.

To date, hoping to become science heroes, 5.200 children aged between 9 and 16 from 22 cities of Turkey participated in the tournaments, thanks to the voluntary activities of the Science Heroes Association founded by Hakan Habip. Throughout the 14-week preparation period, they not only get acquainted with science and technology but also learn the value created by teamwork.