Preliminary Study Project of Science Centre Aurora

The aim of the preliminary study is to find out the need and prerequisites for the Science Centre Aurora, an international science center complex to be implemented in Sodankylä, which acts as a tourist attraction, and to conceptualize it. The science center would be a functional unit that combines science and research, industrial activity, start-ups and innovation, as well as the communication and other service needs of the municipality's own residents and tourists and their fulfillment. Based on these starting points, the preliminary study takes into account the possibilities of interaction between different actors and thereby the versatile development of business activities and tourism. Based on this, a concept plan is drawn up.

The Auroral Science Centre would serve as an international showcase for Sodankylä's Lappish national landscape, the cutting-edge geophysics research and sustainable mining in the area. The Science Centre could fuel start-up and innovation activities around it. In this way, Aurora would base its operations on Lapland's smart specialization strategy. The Science Centre would attract visitors from near and far and generate new business around it in accordance with the goals of the Lapland Arctic Centre of Expertise roadmap.

The Science Centre project is something completely unique in Sodankylä. The preliminary investigation promotes tourism, the attractiveness of the area and the growth of its vitality, as well as research, development and innovation activities.

Contact personnel

Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory:

Project Coordinator
Laura Lakso
laura.lakso@oulu.fi

Sodankylä municipality:

Project Manager
Elina Seppälä
elina.seppala@sodankyla.fi