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’s grand challenges. Application to the next Millennium Youth Camp is now open!
Energy, food and water are among today’s 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 STEM subjects.
Since 2010 the International Millennium Youth Camp has attracted gifted young people who have a passion for science and technology. Organized by Finland’s Science Education Centre LUMA, 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 STEM study and career opportunities in Finland.
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 University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Science.
Inspiring science unites youth, academia and economic life
Professor Maija Aksela from the University of Helsinki has headed the Millennium Youth Camp since the beginning. “This 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,” she says, already looking forward to next years’ camp.
Aksela has seen the camp develop through the years. “The 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,” she says.
Due to success and popularity, the camp has doubled in size to reach as many youth as possible. “The 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,” Aksela says.
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: “In the future we aim to focus more and more on the unifying theme of sustainable development.”
“This 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 ICT expertise with next years’ campers,” Aksela reveals about new openings for the 2014 camp.
Professor Aksela’s team has also published research on the Millennium Youth Camp. “Our research shows that the MYC experience has strengthened the career plans of the campers and their desire to study STEM subjects in the future. The scientists and experts they meet and interact with become important role models for the campers,” Aksela describes their conclusions.
Many of the campers feel that the Millennium Youth Camp was a life-changing and rewarding experience.
“For me, the best thing about MYC is 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,” says 2013 camp alumni Tang Yerong from China.
Camp highlights
The campers address global challenges through research in ten different theme groups: Applied Mathematics, Biosciences and Biotechnology, Climate and Climate change, Energy, ICT and Digitalization, Food Sciences and Food Technology, Material Sciences and Material Technology, Renewable Natural Resources, Urban Planning and Water.
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.
“This camp opened up my mind. There is so much more progress yet to come, and anyone can contribute to it,” says Romanian Andreea Cucu who was excited about the hands-on robotics approach chosen by the ICT team in 2013.
In addition to scientific content, informal social interaction and friendship form the heart of the camp. Camp alumni keep active contact to preserve friendships. “What 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,” says Stefan Velja from Serbia.
Abhi Parikh from Singapore echoes Velja: “[The camp] taught me new things, exposed me to new experiences but most importantly, it gave me friendships that I will always treasure.”
How to apply for the International Millennium Youth Camp 2014?
Attention everyone born in 1995-1998 and their teachers and educators: online application to the Millennium Youth Camp 2014 is now open!
Applicants can choose which theme group they wish to apply to according to their own interests and personal preferences. Applications must be sent in by December 15th 2013.
“Every person is gifted in one way or another and I would definitely recommend applying to the camp if one is even a little interested in meeting curious, active and enthusiastic people who care about science and technology!” is Aksela’s advice for potential applicants.
Text: Maija Pollari.
