Team members at the University of Eastern Finland
Kari Sormunen
Senior University Lecturer, National Coordinator
Kari Sormunen is a Senior University Lecturer in science education at the University of Eastern Finland. He has PhD in science education. Kari Sormunen is in charge of primary teacher education, where he teaches the pedagogy of science in multidisciplinary studies and supervises bachelor’s and master’s theses.
He is also the responsible person in the pedagogical studies of a subject teacher; there he teaches the pedagogy of science mainly to physics, chemistry, and mathematics teacher students. He has participated in several European teacher education projects and spent autumn 2016 as a visiting Fulbright scholar at Stanford University, CA. His research interests are in inclusive science education and multidisciplinary STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) education. He also follows the NoS (Nature of Science) research.
Tuula Keinonen
Professor (emerita), Senior Consultant
Tuula Keinonen is a Professor (emerita) in general education. She has PhD both in physics and in education.
Her research focuses on SSI approaches in science education and education for sustainability. She has coordinated Horizon 2020 project MultiCO, NPP project NEED and participated in FW7 project PROFILES.
Anssi Salonen
University Researcher
Anssi Salonen is a University Lecturer in technology education. He is the vice-head of the department of School of Applied Educational Sciences and Teacher Education. He has PhD in science education and current research focuses on transdisciplinary STEAM education, career awareness and skills development in technology and engineering.
He has worked on several international research projects (e.g., MultiCO 2015-2018; High-Fliers 2020-2023) dedicated to developing novel teaching-learning sequences, particularly for STEM education. He has led national STEAM research project (2020-2023) and EduEntr-project (2021-2023) studying local Education Ecosystems but also promoting new ways of school-community-industry partnerships.
On national level he has participated on developing technology and engineering education in craft science in Finland. Internationally he has been a consultant and expert for STEM curriculum design and assessment processes in Europe, Asia, and Middle East regions. He is also leading several pre- and in-service teacher training and consulting projects around the world.
Ville Tahvanainen
Project Researcher
Ville Tahvanainen is a project researcher, and his working hours are divided currently in multiple projects, which concentrate on developing escape game pedagogy, raising wellness and integration among first year students and school safety awareness, as well as enhancing STEM-education awareness. He is also specialized on escape game pedagogy.
His recent research and education development areas are ict competences and STEAM-education. He coordinates UEF Research Community – Learning, Work and Daily life in Digitalized Society, which produces high quality and multidisciplinary research.
On national level he has been one of the frontliners to develop educational escape games related to gamification and problem-solving learning methodology. Recently he has been producing education export product on educational escape games for international markets.
Sirpa Kärkkäinen
Senior University Lecturer
Sirpa Kärkkäinen works at UEF as a Senior University Lecturer in science education. She has PhD in education and she gives teaching variety teacher groups from kindergarten teachers up to subject teacher students. Her specialties are biology, plants, ecosystems and winter nature.
Partners
Aino Haavisto
MAOL ry
Matemaattisten Aineiden Opettajien Liitto MAOL ry (MAOL) is a pedagogical organisation consisting of 29 local clubs which are locating around Finland. MAOL acts as an important advocate of mathematical and scientific culture. It is the only actor who exclusively oversees the benefits of mathematical and scientific subjects. Events and education offer, besides professional development also possibilities for peer support and networking.
Kaija Saramäki
Karelia University of Applied Sciences
Karelia University of Applied Sciences is an institution of higher education and applied research located in Joensuu, Finland. Karelia UAS operates in seven study fields offering 21 programmes out of which five are master-level studies. The study areas are health care and social studies, business, engineering, forestry, media and hospitality management. Karelia UAS is a significant and well-recognized operator in education and plays a key role in the regional development and research, development and innovation (RDI) activities. In Karelia University of Applied Sciences, all students work closely with local companies and with other educational institutions on exciting research and development projects.
Hanna Hallikainen
Work agent, Luotsi, Joensuu city’s Job Agency Department
Luotsi is part of city of Joensuu and enhances the employment. Life and working life orientation are highlighted through seminars, personal couching, and open courses. Their main task is to help unemployed citizens to get a job.
