Mining accidents have always been a recurring public tragedy in the history of Turkey and many other countries, especially developing ones (for instance, see http://vimeo.com/23760586). These events receive huge press coverage in the immediate aftermath of the disaster and are then quietly forgotten, except for occasional reports about the consequent investigations. Most people are greatly moved by the fate of the miners and their families, especially when rescue efforts turn into a race against time. Earthquakes lead to similar outcomes, but the added dimension of the miners’ willing embrace of the risk involved to earn their livelihood makes the situation even more touching for the general public.
Last semester, the nearly 600 engineering students taking the course Science, Technology, and
Society (GE 301) were given the task of producing posters about mining accidents around the world and their effects. At the time, the Soma mining accident was a very recent memory; the Ermenek accident occurred while the students were working on their projects.
The students worked in groups of about five, and produced around 100 posters. These are now being exhibited in the EB Block of the Engineering Building, and can be viewed through February 13.
The course GE301 (http://www.ee.bilkent.edu.tr/~ge301) is designed to initiate students into critical thinking and self-education beyond the technical confines of the engineering disciplines. It is one of the first of its kind in Turkey and has been offered at Bilkent for 20 years.