Organized for the second time, Millennium Youth Camp brings young people interested in science and technology to a gathering in Helsinki, Finland. A total of 30 talented young science enthusiasts from 22 countries were selected to participate in the MY Camp.
This year’s themes are applied mathematics, climate change, Information and Communication Technology, water, and renewable natural resources and energy, and the cross-cutting theme for this year is transport.
”Kemira was involved right from the beginning when the camp was organized last year through Millennium Technology Prize cooperation with our partner the Technology Academy of Finland. This year we’re hosting the camp’s Water Team and in this assisting Professor Olli Varis from Aalto University,” says Director Ilkka Pollari, who represents Kemira in the MY Camp Steering Group.
Pollari finds this kind of networking useful for Kemira. ”It’s a good idea for a leading water chemistry company to establish links with young people, who will become the problem-solvers of the future, at a very early stage.” One of the MY Campers is actually already connected with Kemira: Casey Crownhart, aged 15. She is from the United States and her father Dave works for Kemira.
Pollari thinks young people should in general become more interested in science. ”It’s easy to forget how broadly important chemistry is for the promotion of wellbeing. In most cases active parents and inspiring teachers play a big role in arousing interest in the subject. It’s good to see that excellent efforts are being made in Europe to this end.”
- MY Camp is organised on Saturday 11 – Friday 17 June 2011 in Helsinki, Finland.
- Read more about the event from Technology Academy Finland’s website.
- Follow the Camp on webzine MyScience. The site offers news, photos and videos from the Camp every day during the Camp.
Text: Johanna Paasikangas-Tella