Experimentation in Finland

What is the current status of Blue Education in Finland

Blue Education is not currently part of Finland’s national education curriculum. Although Finland’s extensive focus on water-related topics reflects the abundance of lakes and the Baltic Sea, Blue Education lacks formal inclusion as a separate framework. This implies that, for Blue Education to thrive, it might initially need to fit into existing sustainability frameworks. Education around water systems in Finland varies depending on the school’s proximity to water bodies and on teachers’ own activity.

Finland has currently 3 networks relevant for Blue education: LUKEMA, run by the Finnish National Agency for Education, it supports teacher training in various subjects; UNESCO Baltic Sea Project, promoting collaboration and material development around Baltic Sea topics and providing a pre-existing platform for Blue Education themes; LUMA Network, focused on mathematics, environmental science, and technology, LUMA’s partnerships with 11 Finnish universities support schools with resources, specialized classes, and a scientific focus.

What are the BlueLightS experimentation activities Finland

1. Shift how natural watersheds are approached in Finnish education. by meeting with many key stakeholders of education in Finland and raising awareness during key events;
2. Assess schools’ specific needs for educational materials that can strengthen students’ marine literacy. Collaborating with BMOL (association of biology and geography teachers) and LUKEMA, both of which have extensive insight into the current state of student and teacher education, would be invaluable in this process. This partnership will also allow to evaluate teacher training needs and identify what types of materials or additional training would most benefit them.