Diyarbakir Science and Art Center

The Turkish school that developed a medical vending machine to help victims of natural disasters

Diyarbakir Science and Art Center, a public primary and secondary school in Bağlar, Diyarbakır, Türkiye developed a medical vending machine to help victims of natural disasters. After a devastating earthquake impacted more than 14 million citizens across 11 regions in Turkey, students designed a vending machine prototype, modelled on those that dispense snacks, to address the pressing challenge of dispensing critical-life medication to victims of disasters in the event of pharmacies or hospitals being inaccessible. The prototype is awaiting patent approval and, once received, will be presented to government and medical institutions for potential deployment. 

The Disaster Support Automat has seen the school go on to success in international competitions and has shone a spotlight on the school, boosting enrolment. The school identifies gifted students at an early age and shapes their future by going beyond traditional schooling to help them uncover their talents in a richer learning environment that offers differentiated lessons and workshop experiences. The school is addressing some of the region’s most prevalent socioeconomic and environmental challenges through an interest- and talent-based project-orientated learning model, facilitating classes and workshops in science, music, robotics, coding, and more.

By introducing knowledge and scientific thinking into its curriculum, being open to innovation, and giving students the opportunity to take part in national and international projects, the school is developing confident, culturally open, and socially responsible graduates.