Theme: WHEN A BUTTERFLY FLAPS ITS WINGS

In the spirit of “ideas worth spreading,” TEDxSinopScienceHighSchoolYouth is an independently organized TEDx event designed to bring people together around powerful stories, inspiring ideas, and transformative experiences.

Guided by the metaphor of “When a Butterfly Flaps Its Wings,” our event explores how small actions, simple ideas, and individual voices can lead to powerful, far-reaching impact. From science to art, from personal journeys to social change, each talk aims to ignite curiosity and spark meaningful conversations.

TEDxSinopScienceHighSchoolYouth combines live speakers and TED Talk videos to create a dynamic platform where youth voices and diverse perspectives meet. Though organized independently under the TEDx license, the event follows TED’s guidelines to ensure a high-quality, community-driven experience.

Join us as we explore how even the smallest movement—like the flap of a butterfly’s wings—can create waves of change.

Sinop Kültür Merkezi
Gelincik, Fatih Cd. No:24 Sinop Merkez/Sinop
Merkez/Sinop, Sinop, 5700
Turkey

Abdullah Elçi

Youth Science Leader

Abdullah Elçi, a 17-year-old high school student, is interested in biology and bioinformatics. He analyzes genetic data and studies biological systems in depth. He has organized scientific organizations and led projects reaching thousands of students. Through the Meteor Club Community he founded, he created educational programs in different disciplines and organized activities in areas such as technology, artificial intelligence and space exploration. He has participated in many national and international competitions and programs and won various awards. In addition to his education, he stands out with his sensitivity to social problems and takes an active role in bringing young people together with science. Continuing to develop himself in different fields, Abdullah is a dreamer who looks to the future with hope with his scientific curiosity.

Ayşe Gül Kara Zorlu

Author

She is an author, producer, and social entrepreneur. She has published more than twenty books in children's and adult literature. She has worked as a columnist in national and local media and has served as a consultant in the private sector and local governments. She is the creator of Şakrak, Turkey's first and only local and national book hero. Through this character, many projects have been implemented to raise children's awareness of health, well-being, and culture. Thousands of people have been reached through theater plays, interactive seminars, and social responsibility campaigns. She has developed unique projects for women, children, and disadvantaged groups, breaking new ground in many areas ranging from career centers to trainings on conscious water consumption. She actively works in the fields of education, environment, health, and human rights.

Begüm Esra Aytan

Promising Woman Entrepreneur

She studied Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Bioengineering. During her university years, she stood out with her innovative projects and became one of the leading figures in innovation and entrepreneurship camps. After graduation, she founded Geneon Biotechnology, producing enzymes that enable the biological recycling of waste and securing them with international patents. She provided science education for young people and prepared students for global competitions. She began the production of critical veterinary health products and received numerous awards in the fields of environment, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. She is a senior judge at the iGEM synthetic biology competition. She is also the founder of Geneon Academy and the pet health brand Vetigo. Entering the cosmetics industry with the Lumi Naturel brand, she aims to establish a bioentrepreneurship school that merges science, the environment, and innovation through academic publications, mentorship, and public speaking.

Doğukan Erdem Kutlu

Producer, Presenter and Actor

Doğukan Erdem Kutlu, who lives with the passion of turning life into a story, has a versatile career in media and arts. He has created a unique language in each project by taking on different roles such as presenter, producer and actor. With the unique formats he has developed, he has succeeded in transforming the power of communication into genuine bonds and has presented sincere and in-depth narratives in the productions he has taken part in. Kutlu, who built an emotional bridge with the audience through television programs and series projects, also contributed to multicultural narratives with his cinema experience. For him, every role is a new story, a new perspective that should be approached with empathy.

F. Rabia Akçatemiz

Academician-RTTP

Fatma Rabia Akçatemiz holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Food Engineering and a PhD in Neurosciences. She started her career as a food engineer and continued her path in entrepreneurship and technology transfer. She works as a lecturer at Sinop University and also serves as the deputy coordinator of the Technology Transfer Office and the Project-Data Management Office. Akçatemiz, one of the 45 licensed technology transfer specialists in Turkey with the RTP title, has taken an active role in EU, TÜBİTAK, and Development Agency projects and provides consultancy as an SME mentor. She delivers trainings on business model development, design thinking, project management, and entrepreneurship. In 2024, she was selected as one of the 12 participants in the “Innovation Leaders of the Future” program.

Prof. Dr. Tayfun Doğan

Professor of Positive Psychology

He is an expert in the field of Positive Psychology and a faculty member at Üsküdar University, Department of Psychology. After graduating from the Department of Guidance and Psychological Counseling at On dokuz Mayıs University, he completed his master's and doctoral studies at Sakarya University. He was a visiting researcher at the University of Kansas in the USA with a TUBITAK scholarship. He conducts research on the psychology of hope, meaning of life, happiness and psychological well-being in the Positive Psychology Research and Application Laboratory he founded. He works for the development and recognition of positive psychology in Turkey and gives seminars and conferences. Dr. Doğan is also passionate about photography and travel and is a coffee enthusiast.

Sabiha Ebcim

Experienced Education Professional and 21st Century Skills Specialist

Sabiha Ebcim is an experienced educator who has been working in the education sector for more than 25 years, taking on many critical roles—from teaching to heading school boards, from exam coordination to editorial direction. She graduated from Karadeniz Technical University of Science and Technology and is currently pursuing her PhD in Management Information Systems at International Dublin University. Specializing in 21st-century competencies and contemporary educational approaches, Ebcim is the founder of Sekiz Kılavuz, Vice President of SODİMER and ESVİD, a member of TOYED, and the Chair of the Academic Board of Meteor Club. She produces original content for students, teachers, and educators, and conducts innovative transformation and guidance studies in education. Her vision is to make a holistic contribution to the education ecosystem as a global citizen.

Ümmiye Koçak

Writer, Farmer, Director and Actor

Ümmiye Koçak is a strong female leader who uses art for social change despite her limited educational opportunities. Born and raised in a rural village, Koçak turned to theater to make visible the difficulties faced by village women. With the theater troupe she founded with illiterate women, she staged plays that bravely addressed women's place in society, violence and discrimination. She reached thousands of people with works she wrote and directed such as “Kadınının Feryadı”, “Hasret Çiçekleri” and “Çocuk Gelin”. In 2012, she won international awards for the movie “Yün Bebek”, which she wrote and directed, and became the voice of women with her art. Ümmiye Koçak is an important name who opened up to the world from the countryside with her courage and determination and created social awareness through theater and cinema.