Aalto University Junior
Aalto University Junior is art, science, technology and entrepreneurship for children, young people and teachers - to support teaching, personal joy and a source of enthusiasm.
Keys to growth: This is how the university for all of Finland's children works
This series highlights Aalto University’s role in building a better society.
Aalto University Junior is a champion of equal opportunities and hands-on learning, growing in popularity year after year. Veli-Matti Ikävalko, who leads the work, shares how this window inÉ«É«À² was created—and how the university spark is ignited.
Aalto University Junior is a champion of equal opportunities and hands-on learning, growing in popularity year after year. Veli-Matti Ikävalko, who leads the work, shares how this window inÉ«É«À² was created—and how the university spark is ignited.
The year 2024 ended traditionally for Aalto University Junior—with a new participation record.
‘We reached over 33,000 children, young people, and teachers from 120 municipalities across Finland, about 2,000 more than in 2023,’ says Veli-Matti Ikävalko, Head of Aalto University Junior.
The growth has been remarkable. In its founding year, 2018, participation stood at just over 10,000. Before that, Aalto primarily offered activities for upper secondary students under the name LUMA Centre Aalto.
In 2017, a group of enthusiastic Aalto members started building a new concept that would better reflect the university. They wanted to include all disciplines—from technology and business to arts and science—and engage children and young people of all ages, starting from preschoolers.
After a year of dedicated effort, Aalto University Junior opened its doors.
‘We were discovered immediately, which is fantastic,’ Ikävalko says.
The most effective way to learn
At the heart of Aalto University Junior are hands-on workshops and researcher visits, held on campus and remotely, all free for schools. Junior also offers events, camps, courses, lectures, and various other activities for children, young people, teachers, and all curious minds.
Curiosity, questioning, and hands-on experimentation are the key.
‘Research shows this is the most effective way to learn,’ Ikävalko says.
Over the years, participants have built moving sculptures and fascinating contraptions, designed future cities and energy solutions, and been inspired by entrepreneurship.
Comment from a pupil who participated in the robotics sessionThe best day ever! Can they come again?
Aalto University Junior has five full-time employees and two project workers. Additionally, 30–40 Aalto students from various fields work part-time, whom Ikävalko warmly describes as the heart of Junior.
‘They run the workshops and serve as key motivators and role models. The most important recruitment criterion is a genuine enthusiasm for working with children and young people.’
The program's rapid growth has been largely driven by remote activities. It all started in spring 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic closed schools and universities. Initially, the Junior team shared home experiment instructions on social media. That fall, highly anticipated remote workshops for schools began—and demand continued even after the pandemic.
Remote participants now make up about a third of all participants.
‘In a recent aquarelle effects session, over 4,000 schoolchildren took part. Remote activities allow us to reach those who can’t visit our campus,’ Ikävalko says.
A place for everyone
Accessibility and diversity are the foundation of Aalto University Junior. Most activities are free, and summer camp fees can be waived based on a motivational letter.
Junior collaborates with various organizations, such as SOS Children's Villages, libraries, regional cultural centers, universities, and the Girls' House, to reach children and young people from different backgrounds. In addition to Finnish, Swedish, and English, teaching can be provided in simplified Finnish, and at the World Village Festival, programs were offered in 13 languages with the help of DIAK interpretation students.
‘We have expertise in working with diverse learners. We haven’t had to turn away a single group,’ Ikävalko smiles.
In Finland, higher education often runs in families—children of university graduates are far more likely to pursue higher education. In a society facing labor shortages and shrinking age groups, increasing diversity is crucial.
Aalto University Junior promotes equal opportunities and sparks educational ambition in as many young minds as possible.
‘We want children and young people with no prior university connections to feel like this place is for them, too.’
Feedback from teachers suggests the initiative is succeeding. A remarkable 99% would recommend a Junior visit to their colleagues.
‘A brilliantly organized workshop that kept all students engaged and focused.’
‘Thank you especially for sharing insights into university studies and answering students’ questions. Many of our young people don’t have anyone in their family who has studied at a university.’
Endless opportunities
Word-of-mouth has driven demand, and more schools want to participate than Junior's facilities can accommodate. The newly opened Junior Space learning environment, launched in March, nearly doubles the number of on-campus visits. However, the team continues to explore new growth opportunities. Last year, external funding enabled technology and robotics sessions in schools for over 8,000 students.
‘There are endless possibilities—we are standing at a cornucopia. Our challenge is to choose the smartest, most impactful ways to grow,’ Ikävalko says, praising Aalto’s support and his dedicated, dynamic team.
‘Every time we’ve felt like we’ve hit a limit, we’ve managed to take another leap forward.’
Among Finnish universities, Aalto University Junior offers the most extensive and diverse programs for children and young people. It’s also internationally unique, Ikävalko says.
‘The combination of free access, scalability, multiple formats, collaboration with other organizations, and outreach beyond the university—this is one of a kind worldwide.’
Currently, Ikävalko’s team is planning a new initiative to expand diversity efforts and reach children and young people in their free time.
‘This is crucial. We need to connect with those who might not otherwise have the opportunity—through their teachers or parents. A single workshop can be a turning point, inspiring a child or young person to dream and make choices that shape a successful future.’
What would Ikävalko show policymakers facing budget pressures?
‘I’d show them how even a group that ‘isn’t interested in anything’ lights up when applying knowledge—whether in hydrogen car design or urban planning. How insightful their discussions and questions are, and how important it is to them. Seeing this reinforces faith in every member of society’s potential and value.’
Hankkeet ja tapahtumat siivittivät Aalto-yliopisto Juniorin uuteen kävijäennätykseen
Viime vuonna Juniorin toimintaan osallistui reilut 33 000 lasta, nuorta ja opettajaa 120 Suomen kunnasta.
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