COLLABORATION Aspirational actions

plinary and are often run by students from completely different fields,’ she says.

Student instructors have a say in the content of the workshops. For example, a music coding workshop that Hiipakka suggested is currently being established.

Hiipakka says that she’s learned a lot not only from the workshop participants but also from the other instructors, such as art students running art courses. But the most rewarding thing for her is seeing the joy of success when the children discover something new. ‘Pupils may first roll their eyes and say, “I can't do that”. But when they get to try it themselves, they often see that they can.’ visits to schools, lectures for secondary school students, camps and other events. Teachers can select and book workshops themselves, but activities get snatched up quickly once they’re published on the programme’s website.

The greatest challenge in running workshops is that each group is different. Because the instructors don’t meet the participants in advance, they need to have good situational awareness and be able to handle surprising situations.

A glimpse into studying at Aalto Visiting the Aalto University Junior workshops gives schoolchildren their first glimpse into the university world, and they also get to hear what Aalto students think about their studies.

Remote study visits

The Aalto Junior programme can also be delivered remotely, with virtual workshops that can be attended from anywhere in Finland. ‘At the height of the Covid-19 crisis, Junior Lab was a lifesaver,’ says Wolff. ‘Although we have tools for teaching mechanics and electricity at school as well, it’s not the same as the activities at the Junior Lab. Pupils are genuinely excited when they get to attend classes run by Aalto students.’

During the pandemic, Aalto Junior instructors developed activities that could be done at home or school with supplies that could be found in a grocery store. The fun experiments included making a rain cloud in a jar, weaving cloth from recycled materials, building an electric motor from a battery and copper wire, and studying the colours of light with a spectroscope made from paper towels.

Students as teachers

Meri Hiipakka studies acoustics and audio technology at Aalto and has been involved in Aalto Junior since her first semester in 2019. She works up to 20 hours a week as an Aalto Junior instructor. ‘I mostly teach in technology-oriented areas like coding, but many of our workshops are interdisci-

Wolff thinks it’s vital for pupils to have positive experiences with various disciplines from primary school onwards. ‘It’s very educational that children get to see early on that certain fields, such as natural sciences or technology, are not gender specific.’

Aalto Junior can also offer much-needed moments of success to pupils with special needs. ‘Success at school may not be a given for them, but in Junior classes they get to shine.’

When the lights of the miniature cars of the future turn on and the hydrogen vehicles get going, the surprise and joy of the workshop participants is genuine. ‘After a visit to Otaniemi, pupils always ask me when they will next get to attend,’ says Wolff.

Aalto University Junior offers art, science, technology, and economics for children, young people, and teachers – to support learning, for personal joy, and as a source of inspiration.

You can support our activities with a donation.

More information: donor-engagement@aalto.fi

‘Pupils may first roll their eyes and say, “I can't do that”. But when they get to try it themselves, they often see that they can.’