The joy of learning for juniors
The year began with a fantastic upgrade to the Junior Lab's robotics equipment, made possible by a donation from the Automation Foundation. The hugely popular robotics workshops offer an exciting environment for learning the basics of programming, robotics and automation. In addition to renewing the robotics gear, the donation enabled the purchase of virtual reality headsets. With them, participants can explore the mysteries of space, peek inside machines and travel to the heart of a molecule. Urban planning also comes to life in the virtual world, opening up new ways to learn and understand.
Elementary schools have also caught robot fever, as robotics sessions have traveled to classrooms, engaging students from grades three to nine and their teachers. Thanks to a donation from the Weisell Foundation, more children and young people than ever can get a glimpse into the world of programming, earn their robot driver’s license and tackle creative robotics challenges. Guided by Aalto University student instructors, the robot courses have sparked curiosity and a spirit of hands-on learning in many schools. After the school tour, the robots continue their journey É«É«À² Junior’s summer camps.
Technology sessions were also warmly welcomed in schools, where students were introduced to topics like artificial intelligence and game-based learning, led by Aalto Junior instructors. Held in both Finnish and Swedish, the highlights of these sessions were the inspiring encounters and the hands-on spirit. Funded by the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation and Svenska kulturfonden, the initiative reached nearly 8,000 children and young people.
Eetu, age 8, at Aalto University Junior’s Open HouseThis is the best place I’ve been to in a long time!
Diving into finance and water worlds
The Invest in Your Future workshops spark young people’s interest in investing, saving and managing personal finances. Held in lower and upper secondary schools, these workshops have been met with great enthusiasm. Now, a donation from OP Uusimaa makes it possible to expand the program even further. The donation will fund the development of Aalto University Junior’s own digital learning platform, bringing financial literacy education within reach of all teachers.
A donation from the Maa- ja vesitekniikan tuki ry (MVTT, Support for soil and water engineering) enables a new kind of deep dive into the world of water. The upcoming workshops, funded by the donation, will teach children and youth about the crucial role water engineering plays in our daily lives and across the globe. These hands-on sessions, organised in schools and at the Junior Lab, will explore the fundamentals of water management, as well as the importance and availability of clean water. The donation allows for the hiring of a coordinator and assistant instructors and enables Aalto Junior to take this content directly to schools.
Throughout the year, Aalto University Junior has also received donations from numerous individuals. These contributions have, for example, made it possible to upgrade the computers used in the workshops.
Text: Marjukka Puolakka
Petri Suomala, Vice President for Education at Aalto UniversityWarm thanks to everyone who has supported Aalto University Junior’s activities. Your support helps us give more children and young people the opportunity to learn by doing.
Aalto University Junior
Aalto University Junior
Join us in creating a world where children and young adults are aware of their true potential and bravely address tomorrow's problems.