INNOSCHOOL 2006: THE INNOVATION EVENT FOR SCHOOL PUPILS

This year, new ideas were created by the first and second grades of comprehensive schools in the Joensuu region and by schools participating in the Technology NOW! project. Final projects of students at the vocational institutes in North Karelia were also judged and awarded. Director General at the Finnish National Board of Education, Kirsi Lindroos presented the INNOSCHOOL Prizes at the INNOFINLAND Awards Ceremony.

Prizes

Vocational institutes: North Karelia College

Jenni Saarinen’s final project: The product innovation is a coat for persons who even with an assistant have difficulty in putting on a coat. The coat is made of two separate parts. It is therefore easy for the assistant to separately put each part on the client. In respect of clothes for a disabled or sick person, special attention must be given to that they are easy to put on and take off and that they are functional.

Eveliina Salos’ final project: A traditional bridal box that has been re-designed to combine traditions, practicality and modern design. This versatile piece of furniture can also be used as a coffee table and is ready for serial production.

Jarko Törmänen’s final project: Learn and practice ashtanga yoga by using an animated program. The movements of the human figure in the animation have been created using Motion Capture technology where the movement and motion paths of a real person is recorded and an animated figure is then added to them. The computer animation gives easy, safe and detailed yoga instructions. A program of this kind has not been used before.

Comprehensive Schools

Minttu Mecklin and Iina Törrönen, Karsikko School, 2nd grade, Joensuu:
‘hyppix’ motorised skipping-bar, with accessories, for outside use.

Roope Valomäki Karsikko School, 1st grade, Joensuu:
Flexible building blocks that are visible in the dark and can be magnetically attached to each other to build, for example, a lamp.

Susanna Laukkanen Noljakka School, 2nd grade, Joensuu:
Wash basin with excellent, adequate grips for elderly people.

Nea Pietilä and Minja Kauppila Mäkkylä School, 2nd grade, Espoo:
Shoe radar to warn visually impaired of obstacles.

Niko Kuiri, Samuli Naukkarinen, Joona Ojala, Tomi, Räsänen, Waltteri Sorjonen Utra School, 2nd grade, Joensuu:
Snow pusher with excellent accessories for versatile all-year use.

Further details of the prizewinners are available from

The Chairman of the INNOFINLAND Working Committee, Mr Juha Jutila, tel. +358 (0)9 020 737 3007, e-mail: juha.jutila@keksintosaatio.fi

INNOFINLAND Project Manager, Mr Timo Suokas, tel. +358 (0)9 6939 5308, mob +358 (0)40 772 1733, e-mail: timo.suokas@prh.fi

INNOFINLAND Project Secretary, Ms Leena Puolimatka, tel. +358 (0)9 6939 5239, mob +358 (0)40 546 0125, e-mail: leena.puolimatka@prh.fi

Director of Communications, Mr Juha Klemola, National Board of Patents and Registration of Finland, tel. +358 (0)9 6939 5800, e-mail: juha.klemola@prh.fi