Prototypes
Did anyone build a robot? Any medical applications? Any environment-related projects? asked the Dean of Aalto University’s School of Electrical Engineering when the EUCYS contestants visited Otaniemi Campus on Saturday.
After the Opening Ceremony and first jury interviews, the second day of EUCYS2011 continued at Aalto University, where the contestants learned about patents and heard some words of wisdom from the Dean of Aalto University’s School of Electrical Engineering, Tuija Pulkkinen.
Space physicist Pulkkinen has been involved in a pioneering project that innovated and designed a thermometer that has been sent further out in space than any other thermometer.
She stressed that research has to be built on a solid foundation. “Take one topic and then take it into very deep level,” she said. “Science is a little bit about competition, a lot about hard work and also a bit about fun,” she says. All of these elements can also be seen in EUCYS.
Portuguese team listening up. Photo: Janne Salo.
“Listen to the comments from the jurors. Take home a spark of how fun science can be,” said Pulkkinen, a former EUCYS Jury member.
After the speeches, the contestants left the Otaniemi campus’s Dipoli building to get hands on experiences on innovating and prototyping in nearby Aalto design factory, instructed by Wycliffe Raduma.
According to several tasks to choose from and with some equipment that included mostly crafts and office supply, the contestants tackled some serious global issues in teams.
An hour and a half later the teams had built a prototype of their innovation. If not all completely tangible, the prototypes showed imagination and enthusiasm that have undoubtedly formed the base of many great innovations.
Balloons, paper planes and prototypes. Photo: Janne Salo.
MyScience will offer news, videos and photos from the 23rd European Union Contest for Young Scientists during the event. Check out also MyScience on Flickr and Vimeo.
Are you EUCYS 2011 participant? Now it’s your chance to get your research published in a peer-reviewed journal. Read more about European Journal for Young Scientists and Engineers.
Elisa Lautala works as web editor for University of Helsinki's Faculty of Science. Elisa likes all kinds of cultural events, good books, warm weather, and aqua-jogging.