Vitensentera and Tekna spread the joy of science

Tekna is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2024 by donating NOK 150,000 to ViteMeir and the other science centers in Norway. This will enable us to reach out to even more schools and pupils than before. In addition to the nationwide scheme, ViteMeir will receive NOK 100,000 for ViteMeir on wheels.

The Tekna professional association was founded in 1874, and in connection with its 150th anniversary, the association wanted to contribute to activities that could encourage and motivate children and young people to take an interest in science. It was an easy choice that this had to mean expanded cooperation with science centers. Tekna is following up on a good and close collaboration over many years.

We hope the gift will lead to even more children and young people becoming enthusiastic about science," says Elisabet Haugsbø, President of Tekna.

"The science centers are an important supplement to science education in schools, and are a great way to arouse interest and engagement by teaching children to experiment themselves. Research shows that practical exercises and knowledge of how the subjects are used are important factors in triggering motivation in children and young people," says Elisabet Haugsbø, President of Tekna.

Tekna is a professional association for those with a master's degree in technology and science, and an important social mission for Tekna is to contribute to increased recruitment in the sciences. There is currently a major shortage of this expertise in working life, and we are completely dependent on more children and young people choosing science education in the future in order to solve some of the challenges we face, such as climate change and digitization. Tekna wants the measures to be aimed at grades 5-7 because we know that interests are formed early in life.

For ViteMeir , the donations mean that we can visit schools that do not have the opportunity to come to the science center. NOK 150,000 will be used for students in grades 5-7, while the NOK 100,000 for ViteMeir on wheels will be used for students in grades 8-10. The funds will enable us to reach more than 800 pupils with fun and practical learning programs in programming and technology.

ViteMeir already received support from Tekna for ViteMeir on wheels in 2023. This means that with these extra funds we can reach even more people in 2024, we are excited and thank you to Tekna!