Young Heroes of Science Meet at GTU Under the Theme "UNEARTHED"

March 2, 2026 - GTU Office of Press and Public Relations
 

Hosting the FIRST^® LEGO^® League Challenge Local Tournaments of the 22nd Season, Gebze Technical University becomes the stage for innovative projects developed by hundreds of young talents from all across Türkiye.

Gebze Technical University (GTU) hosted the FIRST^® LEGO^® League Challenge 22nd Season Local Tournaments, organized by the Bilim Kahramanları Derneği (Science Heroes Association) and held this year under the “UNEARTHED™” theme. The event took place from Friday, February 28, 2026 to Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the GTU Congress and Cultural Center, where middle school students showcased their skills in science, technology, and engineering.

Investing in the Scientific Future Through Strategic Collaboration

Implemented with the main sponsorship of Baymak and in collaboration with the GTU Social Impact Coordination Office, the tournament aimed to enhance young participants’ problem-solving, research, and teamwork skills. Over the course of the two-day intensive program, students presented their work to juries through robot game matches, jury sessions, and innovative project presentations.

77 Teams Participate in the Tournaments

On the first day of the tournament, 41 teams and 375 students from 8 different cities, ranging from Diyarbakır to Çanakkale, took part in the competitions. The champion of Saturday was Legomasters (Private Ataşehir Bahçeşehir College), while on Sunday, among the tournaments attended by 36 teams, Rising Phoenix (Private Bilgi Cesaret Nitelik Secondary School) claimed the championship.

In total, 11 teams earned the right to compete in the National Tournament to be held on Friday–Saturday, March 7–8, 2026, at Fuar İzmir.

Award Excitement With Broad Participation

Among the distinguished participants who shared in the students’ excitement were GTU Vice-Rector Prof. Elif Damla Arısan, Social Impact Coordinator Prof. Meral Elçi, Deputy Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Fatma Karaoğlu-Ceyhan, Prof. Sıddıka Semahat Demir (Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Bilim Kahramanları Derneği), and Baymak General Manager Ülkü Özcan.

This meaningful hosting, carried out under the guidance of the GTU Social Impact Coordination Office, was enriched by the innovative projects presented by young talents.

Tournament Results and Awarded Teams

Saturday, February 28 (Day 1)

• First Place: Legomasters (Private Ataşehir Bahçeşehir College Secondary School)
• Second Place: Robosapiens (İstek Private Kaşgarlı Mahmut Secondary School)
• Third Place: Interaction (Private Bahçeşehir Secondary School)
• Fourth Place: Light Side (FMV Private Işık Secondary School)
• Fifth Place: Beykent Fenrax (Private Beykent Mektebim Secondary School)
• Sixth Place: Tedtronic (TED Çorlu College Secondary School)

Sunday, March 1 (Day 2)

• First Place: Rising Phoenix (Private Bilgi Cesaret Nitelik Secondary School)
• Second Place: Panic at Dacka (Private Darüşşafaka Secondary School)
• Third Place: Unlimited (Private Çevre College Secondary School)
• Fourth Place: Mbrobots (Maltepe Kadir Has Science and Art Center)
• Fifth Place: Deneylerce (Deneylerce Çerkezköy)