The International Millennium Youth Camp brings together talented young people from all over the world to brainstorm and research science and technology-based solutions to mankind\u2019s grand challenges. Application to the next Millennium Youth Camp is now open!<\/p>\n
Energy, food and water are among today\u2019s most important challenges with links to all aspects of the environment and society. New generations of skilled experts hold the keys to success in discovering solutions to these challenges. This is why enthusiastic young scientists are in urgent demand, and there is a growing need to create and support student interest and engagement in\u00a0STEM<\/span>\u00a0subjects.<\/p>\n Since 2010 the International Millennium Youth Camp has attracted gifted young people who have a passion for science and technology. Organized by Finland\u2019s Science Education Centre\u00a0LUMA<\/span>, Technology Academy Finland and Aalto University, the camp is a unique opportunity for bright young people to engage in science activities and to network with top level researchers and professionals. The goal of the camp is to promote interest in science and technology and to introduce\u00a0STEM<\/span>\u00a0study and career opportunities in Finland.<\/p>\n The one-week-long camp takes place in the Helsinki metropolitan area and is free of charge to all participants including travel and accommodation. Participants of the camp are also accepted to study at the\u00a0University of Helsinki\u2019s Faculty of Science.<\/p>\n Professor\u00a0Maija Aksela<\/strong>\u00a0from the University of Helsinki has headed the Millennium Youth Camp since the beginning.\u00a0\u201cThis is my fifth year as the head of the camp and I am still excitedly waiting for it! The camp is definitely the best work week of the summer for me,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0she says, already looking forward to next years\u2019 camp.<\/p>\n Aksela has seen the camp develop through the years.\u00a0\u201cThe agenda has remained quite similar because it has been successful. Of course we have tailored the program according to feedback to better meet the needs of the campers,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0she says.<\/p>\n Due to success and popularity, the camp has doubled in size to reach as many youth as possible.\u00a0\u201cThe first three years we admitted 30 campers but now we have the opportunity to work with 60 gifted youngsters! In the 2013 camp we had campers attending from 30 different countries,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Aksela says.<\/p>\n The scope of the camp has also expanded to include a wider variety of themes. According to Aksela the different themes can be brought together under a common goal:\u00a0\u201cIn the future we aim to focus more and more on the unifying theme of sustainable development.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThis year Finnish companies and industrial partners have taken on an even more active role in the design of project tasks together with researchers from the academia. We have attracted new collaborators. For example Rovio, famous for the popular Angry Birds game, will share their\u00a0ICT<\/span>\u00a0expertise with next years\u2019 campers,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Aksela reveals about new openings for the 2014 camp.<\/p>\n Professor Aksela\u2019s team has also published research on the Millennium Youth Camp.\u00a0\u201cOur research shows that the\u00a0MYC<\/span>\u00a0experience has strengthened the career plans of the campers and their desire to study\u00a0STEM<\/span>\u00a0subjects in the future. The scientists and experts they meet and interact with become important role models for the campers,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Aksela describes their conclusions.<\/p>\n Many of the campers feel that the Millennium Youth Camp was a life-changing and rewarding experience.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, the best thing about\u00a0MYC<\/span>\u00a0is that the camp has exposed me to my chosen subject and enabled me to find my interest in it. Urban planning will be one of my future career choices and the camp has no doubt given me a clearer direction for future,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0says 2013 camp alumni\u00a0Tang Yerong<\/strong>\u00a0from China.<\/p>\n The campers address global challenges through research in ten different theme groups: Applied Mathematics, Biosciences and Biotechnology, Climate and Climate change, Energy,\u00a0ICT<\/span>\u00a0and Digitalization, Food Sciences and Food Technology, Material Sciences and Material Technology, Renewable Natural Resources, Urban Planning and Water.<\/p>\n Project work during the camp is carried out in small multinational groups which are mentored by experts from the field of study. Efforts culminate at the Millennium Youth Camp Gala event where the projects are presented to scientists, professionals of the industry as well as ambassadors and diplomats from various countries.<\/p>\n \u201cThis camp opened up my mind. There is so much more progress yet to come, and anyone can contribute to it,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0says Romanian\u00a0Andreea Cucu<\/strong>\u00a0who was excited about the hands-on robotics approach chosen by the\u00a0ICT<\/span>\u00a0team in 2013.<\/p>\n In addition to scientific content, informal social interaction and friendship form the heart of the camp. Camp alumni keep active contact to preserve friendships.\u00a0\u201cWhat I find most memorable about the camp is definitely meeting new people, who are very friendly and extremely multitalented, and with whom I still keep in touch on a daily basis,\u201d<\/em>\u00a0says\u00a0Stefan Velja<\/strong>\u00a0from Serbia.<\/p>\nInspiring science unites youth, academia and economic life<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Camp highlights<\/strong><\/h3>\n