Day 1 of the Finnish adventure

 

It never got dark last night!!!! Waking on day 1 of the study adventure was a bit rocky after a difficult night's sleep. We ate fairly late at night and our walk get us a little invigorated. It is baffling that at 11:30 pm, the sky was still fairly bright. It definitely plays tricks on the mind.  I inquired with our tour guide, Pasi, and asked if people stay up late at night in the summer. He explained that people still usually go to be around 10-11 pm and that blackout curtains and blinds really help them to keep normal hours. For me, I attempted to put on my sleep mask and get some shut eye, but there is some weird rhythm that your body fights when the sun is still up.

This morning began with an incredible breakfast spread at our Radisson Hotel Blue in Oulu. We were greeted by vitamin D shots, coffee and smoothies. Going around the breakfast buffet we saw a traditional American breakfast with eggs, bacon, potatoes and sausage balls. Then another table had harvest porridge with musli, dried fruit, and yoghurt. There was a table with meats and cheeses, a table with pastries, and fruits and salads. Up front was a spread of coffees, teas and juices. 

I think we might be getting spoiled a bit!

Tomorrow's goal: try cloudberry jam!

After breakfast, we walked to the local farmer's marketplace and downtown to the city's cultural center. We had a presentation from the Advisor to the mayor, Kaari Oikarinen, all about the city's progressive accomplishments in technology, sustainability, and culture. Here are some pictures from inside the center.

Next we walked to a business center. I would equate this to something like our Baron Steuben building in Corning, or the Chamber of Commerce. There were kiosks to show off or sell merchandise promoting the city, a cafe', meeting rooms, and even a room that had sewing machines and a 3D printer that people would use. While there, we met with a lovely woman who was representing the Finnish Dept of Education. She spoke about their education system and the practices they use. Our biggest takeaway here was that their teachers' days are somewhat fluid. Teachers work a class schedule that is between 24  and 36 hours per week. A teacher that teaches 24 classes in a week (45 min class and 15 min break period) would get 30 minutes of prep time for each hour class for a total of 12 hours of prep in a week. In addition, that same teacher would get 3-5 hours for collaboration with other teachers in that week. WHOA! That is amazing!

A very short drive away, we went to the dream school, Hiukkavaara School. Built like a community center, this school houses kids ages 2 through grade 6. Groups are taught in "nests" which break up into grade levels. Facilities were very fluid and shared among many teachers. The school was a shoe-free zone so many of us took our shoes off and walked (or slid) around on socks.  It was so invigorating to see how these schools are set up and especially their "specials" rooms which I will talk about in a bit!

While this is a new school built within the last 20 years, we had an opportunity to see an older school that had been fitted to today's standards as well in Ylikiiminki School or Vesala.  It was impressive to see the wood, metal and arts shops fully outfitted with tools that were used even by the youngest 6 year olds. They even had 3D printers, laser cutters and so much more! This country really truly does teach TRUST and RESPONSIBILITY!!!!

Ice skates and cross country ski boots here at the school for kids to use when they go out in winter. This school even had an ice rink that they flood when it gets cold!

Art room with textiles seen through the tech room that was metal, wood and lasers.

They use the same Dell computers in here!

This school had a river and fields that the kids can go play in or use for outdoor education space. They have fire pits and can hike and fish. We got bombarded with mosquitos like I have never seen. It was crazy! But totally worth it!!!

Do I look at home?

Playgrounds were just too inviting for Jackie and many others!

The music storage closet at Hiukkavaara School- They have Boomwhackers!!!

We finished up our day at a local restaurant called  Sokeri Jussi. They specialize in fish dishes. Many people stepped out of their comfort zone and tried food they would not normally eat. Yay us! ( eventually I will do a whole separate post on the food. It deserves its own!) 

Tomorrow will be a really fun day. Kindergarten, primary and secondary school visits and a mansion and sauna! I'd better get some sleep!