Collaboration between high schools and universities helps young people find their own study path
The morning event held at the high school of Oulu University Teacher Training School on 26 February is a recent example of this purposeful collaboration. The event began with a shared breakfast followed by a panel discussion. The panel, composed of representatives from the Faculty of Science’s degree programmes, explored employment opportunities and answered questions submitted in advance by the high school students. The discussion offered concrete insights into the study paths and career opportunities the university can provide.
After the panel, participants attended workshops where different fields of study were introduced in hands‑on and interactive ways. In the geography workshop, students created a “Statement for a Changing World,” reflecting on the future they want to work toward. In the biology workshop, a researcher spoke about the significance of old-growth forests, after which students painted their own interpretations of what the forest means to them. In the advanced mathematics workshop, students explored the fascinating world of fractals and the thinking behind them. The physics workshop was held in a university laboratory, where students learned about solar hydrogen and explored various research instruments.
“I would like to thank the Faculty of Science on behalf of our entire school for enthusiastically embracing the idea of organising this event for our students. With strong attendance from our second-year students, they were offered a unique chance to learn from experts about research and academic pathways in various units”, says Pekka Vaaraniemi, mathematics teacher at Teacher Training School, who plays a key role in advancing the school’s collaboration with the university.
The cooperation does not end with a single event—it has continued in various forms throughout the academic year. The faculty’s tutoring spaces offer students from the high school designated times to come to the university to work on exercises. In addition, the “lecture portfolio” originating from the Faculty of Humanities has expanded to include natural sciences, enabling high school students to attend university lectures and experience academic studies in an authentic learning environment.
“It has been wonderful to see that our collaboration is producing concrete results and that there is a shared desire to strengthen it further. The Faculty of Science’s range of study opportunities and high‑quality research become visible to high school students and offer them the chance to find an inspiring study path right here at the University of Oulu,” Vaaraniemi continues.
“Some of the lectures included in the lecture portfolio are also offered online, which could make it possible to extend this model to other high schools as well. We warmly welcome high schools to collaborate with us,” says Anu Tuomela, Customer Manager of the Faculty of Science.
The Faculty’s collaboration letter for high schools can be ordered from the faculty website. High school collaboration is one part of the faculty’s career and working life team, which supports cooperation in many ways - for example, by assisting with course planning, contacting companies and organising various events. The team has also worked with the nationwide LUKEMA network of high school teachers in natural sciences, and this spring teachers from across Finland will gather at the University of Oulu on 7th May for the LUKEMA Day held in connection with the LUMA Days.
“It is a pleasure to welcome high school teachers to the university – the programme offers strong expertise, new perspectives and shared insights,” concludes Tuomela.