The fifth International Millennium Youth Camp opened yesterday at the Kumpula Science Campus. The camp brings teenagers from all over the world to Helsinki for a week of sicience, research, technology and international collaboration.
International Millennium Youth Camp brings together 59 gifted young students for a week of science, research, technology and networking. The campers, aged 16-19, represent all of the inhabited continents.
At the camp the participants work together on scientific challenges and tackle global sustainability issues with creative ideas. The themes of the camp include for example biosciences and biotechnology, energy, water and urban planning.
Each of the theme groups are mentored by leading experts from Finnish universities and technology companies.
This year over 1400 eligible applications were received.
“The top candidates stood out with their motivation and interest in chemistry and science,” says researcher Sari Rautiainen from the Laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Helsinki.
As little of waste as possible
Rautiainen coaches the Renewable Resources team — Ramon Goncalves da Silva from Brazil among others.
“I want to make a difference wherever I am. I intend to create technology that will push humanity forward and make our world a better place to live in,” Ramon Goncalves da Silva says.
Rautiainen herself studies the conversion of carbohydrates into chemicals that could be used in pharmaceutical or food industries. Furthermore, monomers from materials like wood could be used to generate novel biopolymers.
“The molecules of biomass are an important source for the production of fuels and chemicals. The key is to develop selective methods which produce as little of waste as possible,” Rautiainen says.
The Renewable resources group is researching methods for producing chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass such as wood. During the Millennium Youth Camp they will also get the opportunity to do hands-on practical work in the laboratory.
“This year the group will be experimenting in the laboratory with some methods developed in the Laboratory of inorganic chemistry. These include for example oxidative pretreatment of lignocellulose to separate lignin from carbohydrates,” Rautiainen reveals about the project.
“Keep up your sense of humor!”
Tarja Halonen, the former president of the Republic of Finland was the guest of honor at the opening ceremony held at the Kumpula Science Campus. In her opening speech she encouraged the young scientists to tackle global challenges.
“From financial crises to climate change, we face the fact that local and global issues are closely connected. The future is also more unpredictable than before. Therefore, it is important that the young students of today are given the tools they will need to live in the world of tomorrow.”
Halonen emphasized the importance of being open to new ideas. She also came with a piece of advice to the campers:
“Keep your personality and your sense of humor. If you do not succeed, you must try again. And again, and again.”
The International Millennium Youth Camp is organized by Technology Academy Finland, the LUMA Centre at the University of Helsinki and the neighbouring Aalto University.
Text: Maija Pollari. Photo: Ella Brandt.
