The closing meeting of the project titled "Design and Implementation of a Virtual Reality Environment Blended with Scientific Inquiry on Climate Change," led by Dr. Seçil Tısoğlu Kaya, a faculty member of the Faculty of Education at Kastamonu University and supported by the TÜBİTAK 3501 Career Development Program, was held on March 27, 2026, at our university's Hoca Ahmet Yesevi Cultural Center – Erasmus Welcome Center. 

As part of the two-year project,  Assist.Prof.Dr.  Kadir Yücel Kaya, a faculty member of the Department of Educational Sciences, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Elif Sönmez from the Department of Basic Education's Preschool Education Division, and Assist.Prof.Dr.  Sümeyra Zeynep Et, from the Faculty of Education at Fırat University, served as a researcher. 

At the closing meeting, the project process, the academic outputs achieved, and the developed virtual reality-based learning environment were shared with the participants. Within the scope of the project, it was stated that a unique teaching model was developed to convey the topic of climate change to students through scientific inquiry-based approaches and innovative educational technologies. 

Speaking at the program, project coordinator Assist.Prof.Dr. Seçil Tısoğlu Kaya emphasized the importance of instilling climate change awareness at an early age and stated that virtual reality-supported learning environments contribute to students' scientific thinking skills.

Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Dr. Ahmet Kaçar, stated in his speech that climate change is among the global priority issues today. Emphasizing that this field should be addressed not only from an environmental perspective but also from social and scientific dimensions, Prof.Dr. Kaçar highlighted the importance of translating the studies conducted into educational environments and conveying them to future generations. Prof.Dr. Kaçar thanked the project team and TÜBİTAK for their support. 

The program concluded with the presentation of certificates of appreciation to the project team and a commemorative photo session.