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There has long been a strong ambition to engage school students more actively in EnergyWeek. This year, a broad collaboration finally made it happen.
Vaasa EnergyWeek has traditionally been a business focused event for the energy sector. Over time, however, it has grown significantly, and the city’s strategy now emphasises that energy should be integrated across all parts of society.
“That is why there has long been both a need and an interest in creating a dedicated EnergyWeek programme for school students,” says Josefin Stolpe, Project Manager for Circular Economy and Sustainable Development at VASEK.
While the idea has enjoyed widespread support, the challenge has always been practical. Questions around responsibility, coordination, and funding have made it difficult to turn ambition into reality.
All the pieces fell into place
This year, nine organisations joined forces and decided it was time to act. With strong commitment, volunteer spirit, and financial support from the Green Leaf initiative, the pieces finally came together.
A key moment came when Göran Häggblom from the association Kaboom reached out in the autumn, offering their mobile science centre.
The association, originally founded by Johan Ångerman, Jeremy Crotts, and Tomas Lindén, has developed hands on, playful equipment that helps children and young people understand concepts such as compressed air, vacuum, and gravity.
“We pack everything into a trailer and move it around. It is easier to move us than hundreds of school students,” says Johan Ångerman.
Shopping centre turned into a living lab
During EnergyWeek, a retail space on the second floor of the Espen shopping centre has transformed into a living lab, where children from preschool age up to lower secondary school can explore and learn.
“It has gone extremely well, beyond expectations. The response from the children has been fantastic,” says Göran Häggblom.
Susanna Pakkala from Vamia highlights the long term value.
“This helps spark interest in studying and working in the energy sector. It is a very enjoyable event for children,” she says.
During the weekdays so far, more than 300 students and teachers have visited the space through pre booked group sessions. On Saturday between 10.00 and 16.00, families will also have the opportunity to explore the lab.
Already looking ahead to next year
The strong reception has encouraged organisers to start planning for next year’s NextGen event.
This year, funding was partly supported by Green Leaf resources, but future financing will need to be secured through other means.
“We will now look at how to make this happen next year,” says Josefin Stolpe.
“We would very much like to continue and preferably make it even bigger,” adds Göran Häggblom.
“It would be great to involve companies as well,” says Susanna Pakkala.
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