New column: Newton Teacher of the Month

Name: Meryem Çelik
Age: 28
Location: Istanbul/Türkiye
Has been a part of Newton: Since April 2022.
Professional Background: Science Teacher
Newton Room: Newton Flight Academy Istanbul
Lifte Outside of Work: I come from a big, loving family of 9 and have 8 nieces and nephews who bring me so much joy. I love spending time with my friends, travelling, and reading.

“What sparked your interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) in the first place?”

“My 6th-grade science teacher had a big impact on me. I loved experimenting and learning science through hands-on activities. I remember pretending to be a gas molecule and scattering around the classroom, creating a "raisin cake" to visualize Thomson’s atomic model, and composing songs using the symbols of the elements. These experiences shaped my passion for STEM.”

INSPIRING TEACHER. From hands-on experiments to immersive flight simulations, Meryem is dedicated to making STEM education exciting and accessible for all students. Photo credit: Science Heroes Association

“What do you love most about working in a Newton Room?”

“I love seeing students explore and discover knowledge at the Newton Flight Academy. Here, they access information in a vibrant and colourful environment while using educational materials they wouldn’t normally encounter in everyday life. They experience something truly unforgettable, and knowing that I’ve helped create such a positive memory for them makes me incredibly happy. As a teacher, what I appreciate most is the student-centred approach to learning, which replaces traditional methods with hands-on exploration and active engagement."

“What’s your favourite topic or module to teach, and why?”

“The activity I enjoy most in the classroom is the distance task from the Up in the Air Module. I love seeing students work with maps and use nautical mile rulers, especially as they try to figure out how many kilometers are in a nautical mile! It’s a challenging task, and often no one gets the right answer. However, this gives me a great opportunity to explain the concept of measurement error and teach students about the importance of accuracy in their calculations.”

“ What do you hope students and teachers take away from their visit to your Newton Room?”

“I hope students leave the Newton Rooms not only with new knowledge but also with unforgettable experiences gained through teamwork. I want them to realize that learning isn’t just about memorizing facts—it’s about exploration, problem-solving, and discovering new perspectives. Seeing their curiosity grow in STEM and Aviation and watching them engage with subjects they may not have considered interesting before, is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. More than anything, I want them to understand that there are many different ways to learn, and education can be exciting and interactive.

For teachers, I hope their visit helps them see the power of hands-on, student-centered learning. Newton Modules offers rich, detailed content that makes complex topics more accessible and engaging. I want teachers to witness firsthand how students become more involved and motivated when they are actively discovering concepts rather than just listening to lectures. Seeing students enjoy even the most challenging topics through exploration and collaboration is a powerful reminder of how impactful innovative teaching methods can be."

MERYEM AND STUDENTS. Since its launch in April 2022, the Mobile Newton Room has been on an incredible journey, reaching over 2,155 high school students in Istanbul before relocating to Adana in 2024.

“One of the most inspiring moments for me is seeing young girls arrive at the Newton Rooms feeling shy and unsure, sometimes even intimidated by the idea of flying. But by the end of the session, hearing them say, "I could be a pilot!" or "I’m going to become a pilot!" is truly incredible. Watching their confidence grow as they engage with the activities and realize their potential is one of the most rewarding parts of working in the Newton Room." Another thing that makes a huge difference is the presence of our female flight instructors, who are studying aerospace and aviation engineering. They play a key role in breaking stereotypes and encouraging girls to consider careers in these fields. Seeing women in these roles helps young girls believe that they, too, can pursue careers in aviation and STEM, and it gives them the confidence to dream bigger when thinking about their future.”

“ How can we best inspire children and young people to pursue STEM education and careers?"

“One of the best ways to inspire young people in STEM is to provide them with more opportunities to engage in hands-on, out-of-school activities. Encouraging them to take an active role in solving real-world problems and involving them in decision-making processes helps them see the impact of STEM in everyday life. When children realize that their ideas matter and they can be problem-solvers, they become more motivated to explore STEM fields and consider careers in these areas. Another crucial factor is making STEM education accessible to everyone. Regardless of background or resources, every child should have the opportunity to engage with STEM through interactive learning experiences. Ensuring equal access to quality STEM education helps nurture diverse talents and perspectives, ultimately leading to more innovation and progress in these fields."

“ If you could meet one famous scientist, past or present, who would it be and why?"

“I would love to meet Marie Curie for her groundbreaking work in physics and chemistry, as well as her determination to overcome barriers in a male-dominated field. Her dedication to science, despite the challenges she faced, is truly inspiring. She not only made significant contributions to our understanding of radioactivity but also paved the way for future generations of women in STEM.

In the Newton Rooms, I see firsthand how important representation is. When young girls participate in science activities, they often start out hesitant but gradually become more engaged and confident. Seeing their curiosity grow and watching them take an active role in STEM topics is incredibly rewarding. Meeting Marie Curie would be a chance to learn from someone who broke barriers and helped open doors for future generations, inspiring even more young women to explore and embrace science."

"What are three things on your bucket list?" 

1. Creating inclusive and accessible educational content to ensure that all students, regardless of background, have the opportunity to engage with STEM learning.

2. Taking flight training to be able to fly a Cessna and experience the joy of piloting an aircraft.

3. Traveling to explore science centers and art museums around the world, and if it ever becomes possible in the future, experiencing space travel!

Newton Flight Academy Istanbul

• The Mobile Newton Room project was launched on April 28, 2022, in Istanbul in collaboration with FIRST Scandinavia and the Boeing company. It has changed three locations since that day to May 2024 in the city reaching 2155 high school students in total. In 2024 the MNR was relocated to another city in southern Türkiye (Adana).
  
  
• The Newton Flight Academy was launched on December 20, 2023. The NFA features a total of six flight simulators—three full-motion and three fixed—similar to those used in professional training. It also includes a laboratory area equipped with robotics and STEM kits, offering students aged 5 to 18 the opportunity to learn the fundamental principles of flight.  
  
  
• NFA Istanbul runs the Up in the Air with Numbers and Robots and Circumference modules for now, but they have completed their work for Sustainable Aviation Fuel, and will start the implementation as soon as possible with other new modules.