Visit to Lappeenranta Technical University

Robotics Arm Performing a Task. 

Visit to Lappeeenranta Technical University (LUT).  I had an hour discussion with the director of Luma Center, Johanna Naukkarinen, and then with a researcher who wants to enhance female student enrollment in engineering. I also followed high school students from Lappeenranta when they were introduced to the University programs and activities.  The University of applied science which is located on the campus, offers degrees in vocational disciplines. I was very impressed with the offerings.
Johanna has a full-time position and her salary comes from the ministry of Education and the University, ½ and ½.

Technical University of Lappeenranta

She mentioned NASEVA, women, electricity and Energy organization that is trying to attract female students into technology. They organize field trips and camps for girls, both upper and lower compulsory schools. ABB class, located in many Universities, is sponsored by ABB company and organizes visits to kids to perform experiments on technology.

There is also a Junior University where students can do their own research.

I met a researcher who is studying "Why girls are not attracted to Engineering".

In order to attract females into engineering,

1. it has to be creative. Education right now for 1-4 grade is not creative. Creativity starts in grades 6-7. When life science is changed into science and technology. It has to have a meaning.

She thinks the reasons girls are not pursing careers in science and technology is that the course is not  creative enough. 

2. Social aspects. It is assumed that engineering is a lonely job. Girls are social, they don’t want to get into Engineering.

3. Hands on activities. It has to relate to Environment, or how to make the life better in the world. Equality is the key to educations. The same concept for everyone, but boys need to know how things work, girls how can I use this to benefit the environment, animals or human beings. Girls are high on green environment, how to protect it and how to prevent the environment from damage.

She had done a survey on technology. Answers 1-5

1.      How do you like technology

2.     How likely are you going to enroll in technology in University.

She is concentrating on studies on how to motivate girls into engineering. She thinks that by combining Natural Sciences with engineering, there is a bigger chance of attracting females. Maija Akseli, the Head of Luma Center in Finland sent a letter to the Ministry of Education to address the issue. Usually when publications come from The Ministry, science is mentioned about 64 times and technology only 8 in average.

Talk ended. High School Students came to attend a class. 46 high schoolers. First was an advertisement for an online course by Johanna Naukkarinen.

Lecture on Luma Programs for High School students.

Life and Electronics class online. Starts in February, lasts the whole spring semester. You work in groups to do projects and some individual work. You get university credit if you enroll in LUT. This course is designed to attract female students.  Johanna is also planning to start a club, moms and daughters, lets do Science together.

Leena Ikonen explained the Luma programs in southern Finland. StarT program was also mentioned.

Presentation from Switch Company

Jussi Puranen introduced the Switch Company. They produce generators for marine life, wind energy generators, 220 people work in the company, in Finland, Norway, Asia.

Production line: Generators

Electrical motors

Tapahtumamuuttajat

Windtubines generators.

Waterturbines

Direct current into alternative current.

He explained the robots & theory between all these motors and generators.  The students listened quietly.  Lel submarines, elevators use permanent magnets (kestomagnets), frequency converter (taajuusmuuttaja). Changes, The uses of these motors etc.

After the presentation, the class was divided into 3 groups. They rotated from one workshop to another.

I visited the Vocational School where nursing took place. The school is located at the same complex, but it’s called University of Applied Science. It takes 4 years to complete the nursing program, which includes practical training. There were 24 students enrolled in this year's program.

Observations: I saw in action, behind a one-way wall, when two students took a practical performance test. They know the 5 mandatory tests they have to perform ahead of time, so it should not come as a surprise what to do. This time two students had to rescue a patient who had severed several bones in her leg. The students worked for about 20 minutes on this task.  There was an outside evaluator who graded the performance. Students put a pressurized splint on the patient but they failed to do it properly. Luckily, they were allowed to try again. 

In the practice room, there were life-size dolls that were computerized to behave like alive humans. They were able to sweat, have a heart attack, high fever, stomach cramps, etc. I also visited a demo surgical room where nurses practice sterile techniques and assist surgery skills. Every time when student had a performance test, the evaluator always asked first “how did you do”?  It seems that self-reflections are a norm in Finish Education.  

Life-Size computerized "patient" 

Another training room

Surgical training room

Next visit was to an automation room where students can practice electronics, robotics and automation.

Automation Room

Computer room

Computer Simulation

Computer Simulation

High School student practicing driving a Truck. 

ABB Room. High School Students are building windmills. There was a competition which pair can produce a windmill with the higher energy production.  

Students discussing possibilities

All the different schools are connected with long walkways.

Interior hallways

Cafeteria

Next visit was to Biomechanical Department where students study Physical Therapy. The teacher immediately announced a task where students had to design a walking exercise to a person who had difficulties in walking.  They had to decide what was the pathological case, how the therapy works, what kind of measurements to take and how do they know if the therapy works. 

I was able to examine some of the machines

Instructor exhibiting latest testing equipment

Cardiovascular Testing Machines