First Scandinavia Receives NOK 8.55 Million for Science Initiative in the North

Per-Arild Konradsen founded the non-profit organization First Scandinavia in 2000 with his son clearly in mind.

As a father, he had firsthand experience of how important it is to have alternative learning environments for children who are practically inclined and who may not feel entirely at home in the traditional, theoretical school system. With the right support and room to develop within technology, his son also experienced a sense of accomplishment.

"It was about identifying a practical talent," Per-Arild says to High North News. His son eventually trained to become a skilled and sought-after electrician, quickly rose through the ranks, and is now a manager at the company.

"The point is that we lose talents because school is too theoretical. We lose the students who are practically inclined and socially adept.

The Newton concept

Per-Arild is a trained civil engineer, but based on the experiences with his son, he started First Scandinavia with Bodø in Northern Norway, as its base. The non-profit organization works to create interest in science among young people.

"Something happens to you when you are allowed to use your skills," says Per-Arild about why it is important to identify practically inclined students and provide them with arenas where they can experience achievement in a school system that is mainly based on theoretical teaching.

The organization is known for the FIRST Lego League concept, one of the world’s largest knowledge and technology competitions for children and young people aged 6-16.

Over time, the organization also developed the Newton concept, through which municipalities can establish a so-called ‘Newton room’, a permanent physical space filled with technical equipment and effective learning facilities. The room is assigned an internal resource, a Newton teacher, and access is provided to Newton modules, which are research-based teaching programs. 

With local business and industry

Kjersti Gylseth, head of education at First Scandinavia, explains that the Newton concept works to link theory and practice. It is about understanding how things are connected.

"This provides a framework for how municipalities can invest in science subjects.  It becomes a hub for the municipality, a resource center for science subjects," she says.

What does it cost a municipality to join the Newton concept?

"It does not cost anything to be part of the concept, but they have to establish the room. They must also operate the room, that is, pay one or more Newton teachers locally," Kjersti explains.

Municipalities often involve local businesses to help cover the cost of establishing the room. In addition, businesses help shape the content of the rooms. 

"This is how you make school more relevant. You bring industry cases into the school."

This way, students can be prepared for jobs that exist in their local community and region.

"Everything we do in the Newton concept is related to science, and that makes it particularly important in the North. We lack expertise here, and the High North is facing some enormous challenges that need to be solved," says Kjersti.

Major challenges ahead

Kjersti and Per-Arild say that the Newton concept works particularly well in the North. Young people lack meeting places, and the region faces major challenges that can be solved, among other things, through science. Moreover, the concept creates optimism about the future and a desire to create a life there.

"Newton is suitable in all municipalities, but particularly well-suited to rural areas. That is where we see it having the greatest impact. Nordland, Troms, and Finnmark are important regions for us to have a strong foothold in," says Kjersti, adding:

"In small municipalities, students also get to visit the Newton room more often and therefore have an even greater impact."

The High North is facing major challenges, from the climate crisis, population decline, lack of infrastructure and resource development, to preparedness and security. 

And although the Newton concept cannot solve everything, it is important to see that everything is connected, say Per-Arild and Kjersti.

'Newton in the North'

The Newton concept has now spread from Bodø in the North to 19 countries, including China and Brazil. In Norway, Newton rooms can be found in 34 municipalities across the country.

However, for the next three years, Per-Arild and the rest of the team will particularly focus on making the concept more accessible at home. SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge is providing NOK 8.55 million for the project 'Newton in the North', which will help give more children and young people in Northern Norway positive experiences in science, both at school and in their free time.

"This is because the science crisis hits especially hard in the North," says Kjersti and continues:

"It is particularly serious in the North, for example, because the climate crisis is especially far-reaching, and because of the issues surrounding the use of resources without destroying the ecosystem. We need young people in the North to be motivated to choose the sciences."

The project has four pillars: 

1. Establish more Newton rooms in the North.

2. Produce more Newton modules that are relevant to the North.

3. Develop Newton Leisure so that the Newton rooms can also be used for regular and accessible leisure activities with science content.

4. Strengthened local footprint. 

"Newton is about giving children and young people good learning experiences in science. With this initiative, we can strengthen local ownership, develop new activities and ensure that Newton gains even greater significance in Northern Norwegian communities," says Per-Arild.