The 22nd season of the Science Heroes Meet – FIRST LEGO League Challenge tournaments continued with the 2nd and 3rd İzmir Middle School Local Tournaments held at Fuar İzmir. Hosted by the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and supported by İZFAŞ, the event was organized by the Science Heroes Association. At the end of the tournaments, 10 teams earned the right to compete in the national finals.
Each year, the FIRST LEGO League Challenge tournaments enable children and young people aged 9–16 to see themselves as “socially responsible scientists and engineers.” The program reaches more than 300,000 children and young people from over 100 countries worldwide. In Türkiye, the event has been organized under the name Science Heroes Meet by the Science Heroes Association since the 2004–2005 season and continues to attract strong interest.
Since 2004, a total of 47,127 children from 80 cities across Türkiye have participated in the tournaments. This year’s season is held under the theme “UNEARTHED.” Teams explore archaeological processes, underground structures, hidden areas, and traces of ancient civilizations. Students develop innovative solutions to problems they encounter and attempt to complete missions using robots they design, build, and code.
Two Local Tournaments Held at Fuar İzmir
The 2nd and 3rd İzmir Middle School Local Tournaments of the 22nd season were held in Hall D at Fuar İzmir.
At the 2nd İzmir Middle School Tournament, 36 teams and 318 students from İzmir, Aydın, Balıkesir, Çanakkale, Denizli, Manisa, and Muğla participated. The 3rd İzmir Middle School Local Tournament also hosted 36 teams and 319 students from the same provinces.
Students introduced their projects at their designated booths and worked intensively to ensure their robots successfully completed assigned tasks. The young science heroes presented their solution proposals before the jury. At the end of the two-day event, trophies and medals were awarded, and 10 teams qualified for the national tournament.
A Generation Growing with Science
İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Council Members İpek Kul Bayar and Sedef Cem presented awards to the first-place teams of the two days. They emphasized that the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality always supports children and young people, highlighting that science and productivity are the keys to the future.
Appreciation to the Metropolitan Municipality and İZFAŞ
Zeynep Gülşen Can, Communications and Events Manager of İZFAŞ, stated that they are pleased to host the organization for many years. She emphasized that there is much to learn from children and young people, who are the scientists of the future, and expressed her hope to meet again at Fuar İzmir during the national tournament.
Aytuğ Mecik, Board Member of the Science Heroes Association, noted that a better future is possible thanks to children and young people who dare to ask questions today. He stated:
“This season, we aim to reach 4,472 children with 501 teams across Türkiye. Following our local tournaments in Ankara, Antalya, Eskişehir, İstanbul, İzmir, Kocaeli, Mersin, and Ordu, the national tournament will be held in İzmir on March 7–8.”
He also thanked the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and İZFAŞ for hosting both local and national tournaments in İzmir for many years.
National Tournament to Be Held in İzmir
Following 18 local tournaments to be held throughout February and March 2026 in Ankara, Antalya, Eskişehir, İstanbul, İzmir, Kocaeli, Mersin, and Ordu, the season will conclude with the National Tournament, which will take place on March 7–8, 2026, at Fuar İzmir, hosted by the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality with the support of İZFAŞ.
Teams Qualifying for the National Tournament
21 February 2026
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Karşıyaka Private TAKEV Middle School – Astronova Team – Champion’s Award
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Private Rota Middle School – Relic Hunters Team – Second Place Award
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Private İzmir İstek Middle School – Northstars Team – Third Place Award
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İzmir Bayraklı Uğur Schools Middle School Campus – Cyber Ninjas Team – National Advancement 4
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Private Turkish College Marmaris Middle School – Felix Team – National Advancement 5
22 February 2026
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Çiğli Aydoğan Yağcı Science and Art Center – Spica Jr Team – Champion’s Award
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Muğla Turgutreis Uğur Schools Middle School Campus – Maxima Prime Team – Second Place Award
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Private Çakabey Middle School – Leukai Team – Third Place Award
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Private Bandırma Bahçeşehir College Middle School – Enterprise Kyzikos Team – National Advancement 4
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Private Manisa Bahçeşehir College Middle School – Ouroboros Team – National Advancement 5