Adventuring in the spirit of science
The Kumpula Science Campus welcomed the International Millennium Youth Campers to the University of Helsinki with sunny smiles, expert lectures and some fun adventures amidst the opening ceremonies.
Cool things happen on the Millennium Youth Camp. On Monday, campers became part of a lab music experiment performed by artist Miro Mantere at the opening ceremony.
His show created magical music from water bubbles, glass test tubes and the scraping of a mortar and pestle. “Enjoy your brains”, he recommended.
Sounds by Miro Mantere. Photo: Jussi Nygren.
Welcoming words by the Head of the Camp, professor Maija Aksela were followed by Juha Ylä-Jääski, the president of Technology Academy Finland. Ylä-Jääski challenged the campers with a long haul goal: “I would like to see your name on the hall of fame of the Millennium Technology Prize winners”.
Keynote speakers professor Markku Kulmala and Anneli Ojapalo addressed important global issues on climate and energy solutions. Kulmala also had a ready answer to the question how to combat climate change: “Plant more trees. That’s something everyone can do.”
Project work at Kumpula Science Campus. Photo: Jussi Nygren.
The scientific coaches had supported web-based project work during the spring and had now the opportunity to give face-to-face feedback to their groups.
After breaking the ice with a lively round of the Who am I party game the biotechnology team dove enthusiastically into project plans. Discussions ranged from the possibilities and applications of genetic engineering to the ethics and concerns involved with the use of genetically modified organisms.
In the afternoon it was time for the traditional highlight of the Kumpula Campus visit: The Amazing Race of Sciences. The friendly adventure competition involved orienteering around the Kumpula campus to complete checkpoint tasks. In the chemistry lab Gadolin, for example, the groups used chemical reactions to solve the mystery of a hypothetical victim of food poisoning.
At the finish line of the Amazing Race of Science. Photo: Jussi Nygren.
Speed and skill were the key, but team spirit was also rewarded. Some teams reached the goal at a run, cheering and breathless with laughter. This year team Renewable Resources was the champion of the race.
The main organisers of Millennium Youth Camp are Finland’s Science Education Centre LUMA and Technology Academy Finland.
Who are the MY Campers? Read the group introductions from MY Camp profiles. Read also the Camp news, look at photos in Flickr, and watch videos in Vimeo.
Maija Pollari is a science journalist whose background is in molecular biology research. She enjoys flamenco dancing, reading, and roleplaying adventures.