The new LUMA Centre Finland was opened on November 8th 2013 as an umbrella organization for Finnish LUMA Centres.
On Friday November 8th the launch of LUMA Centre Finland was celebrated in an opening ceremony at the Kumpula Science Campus at the University of Helsinki. LUMA Centre Finland is a brand new concept that brings national STEM education efforts closer together. The Centre was officially opened by the Finnish Minister for Education, Ms Krista Kiuru.
The aim of LUMA Centre Finland is to inspire and motivate children and youth into mathematics, natural sciences and technology through the latest methods and activities of science and technology education. The aim is also to support the life-long learning of teachers working on levels of education from early childhood to universities, and to strengthen the development of research-based teaching.
LUMA Centre Finland will be an umbrella organisation for both Finnish and international endeavours to promote the sciences. The Centre will motivate children and young people to study mathematics, science and technology through new approaches, support teachers in developing their professional skills throughout their careers from early education to institutions of higher education, and enhance the development of research-based teaching at universities.
Minister Kiuru recognized the importance of the challenges STEM education is facing. “Although we Finns can be glad and proud of our success in international student evaluations, there is plenty of work to be done in improving skills in natural sciences, technology and mathematics,” she reminded in her speech.
According to Kiuru LUMA Centre Finland could be part of the solution to these challenges. Already the regional centres ”have been able to develop and research a rich variety of diverse activities to support learning and teaching. The centres offer plenty of approaches to engage students and youth in STEM subjects,” she said and added that the LUMA centres are important collaboration partners and pioneers in developing STEM education.
LUMA Centre Finland is a led network
LUMA Centre Finland unites the ten regional LUMA Centres into a led network. In the LUMA Centre Finland Finnish universities join their forces and efforts to achieve something new and unique in STEM education. The concept will strengthen collaboration on national and international levels.
LUMA Centre Finland will cooperate closely with educational institutions and authorities as well as the business sector. International cooperation is a key part of the Centre’s operations. Ten LUMA Centres connected with Finnish universities or university consortia form the heart of the network:
- Central Finland LUMA Centre (University of Jyväskylä)
- LUMA Centre Aalto (Aalto University)
- LUMA Centre of Ostrobothnia (Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius)
- LUMA Centre of Southwestern Finland (University of Turku)
- LUMA Centre of the University of Eastern Finland
- LUMA Centre of the University of Helsinki
- LUMA Centre Päijät-Häme (Lahti University Campus)
- LUMA Centre Saimaa (Lappeenranta University of Technology)
- OuLUMA Centre (University of Oulu)
- Tampere LUMATE Centre (University of Tampere and Tampere University of Technology)
LUMA Centre Finland will promote competence in LUMA subjects (i.e. mathematics, natural sciences and technology) according to national strategy and plan of action validated by the board.
“The key to a bright future for Finland is its skillful teachers, children and young people who are excited about mathematics, science and technology. LUMA Centre Finland unites us all in this important mission. Together we can achieve more!” announces the newly appointed director of LUMA Centre Finland, professor Maija Aksela from the University of Helsinki.
“Even though Finnish pupils excel in international learning rankings, we must work systematically to promote the appreciation of teaching, learning and the studying of science and mathematics. By recognising the value, status and significance of different fields we can help construct a foundation that will motivate both teachers and students to further develop their own work. The discussion on the status of sciences and mathematics could serve as a starting point for a campaign to increase appreciation for education and science in general,” suggests Assistant Professor Pekka Hirvonen, chair of the Board of LUMA Centre Finland.
For further information about LUMA Centre Finland, please contact:
- Director of LUMA Centre Finland and the LUMA Centre of the University of Helsinki, Professor Maija Aksela, tel. +358 50 514 1450, maija.aksela@helsinki.fi
- Chair of the Board of LUMA Centre Finland and Director of the LUMA Centre at the University of Eastern Finland, Associate Professor Pekka Hirvonen, tel. +358 50 351 4897, pekka.e.hirvonen@uef.fi
- Vice-Chair of the Board of LUMA Centre Finland & Director of OuLUMA Centre, Professor Peter Hästö, tel. +358 29 448 1740, peter.hasto@oulu.fi
- Director of the LUMA Centre of Central Ostrobothnia, Professor Ulla Lassi, tel. +358 40 029 4090, ulla.lassi@oulu.fi
- Director of the LUMA Centre of Central Finland, Professor Jan Lundell, tel. +358 40 744 5270, jan.c.lundell@jyu.fi
- Director of the LUMA Centre of South-Western Finland, Professor Tapio Salakoski, tel. +358 40 032 6978, tapio.salakoski@it.utu.fi
- Director of the LUMA Centre at Aalto University, Professor Kai Zenger, tel. +358 50 409 6252, kai.zenger@aalto.fi
- Director of LUMA Centre Saimaa, Assistant Professor Matti Heiliö, tel. +358 29 446 3480, matti.heilio@lut.fi
- Director of the LUMA Centre of Päijät-Häme, University Lecturer Jarkko Lampiselkä, tel. +358 50 318 2171, jarkko.lampiselka@helsinki.fi
- Director of the Tampere LUMATE Centre, Professor Markku Kulomaa, tel. +358 50 059 9904, markku.kulomaa@uta.fi.
Text: Minna Meriläinen & Maija Pollari. Photo: Elisa Lautala.
