Winners of the Innoschool 2011 Innovation Event for School Pupils

The Innoschool Innovation Event is part of the Innofinland Project. Its aim is to promote creativity, inventiveness, enterprise and a sense of achievement among comprehensive school pupils and vocational institute students.

Innoschool 2011 Innovation Event

The year 2011 saw the 12th Innoschool Innovation Event, this time carried out in the Mikkeli region. All the units of the South Savo Vocational College – at Mikkeli, Pieksämäki and Juva – took part in the vocational college category to find out the students’ best final projects. A total of seven first and second grades competed in the comprehensive school category, which spawned 59 submissions.

The Innoschool prizes and honorary diplomas were presented by Mr Timo Lankinen, Director General of the National Board of Education, and Mr Pekka Tsupari, Managing Director of the Association for Finnish Work, at the Innofinland Awards Ceremony at the National Board of Patents and Registration on 29 November 2011.

Innoschool 2011 Prizes

Vocational Institutes:

Jonne Elo
South Savo Vocational College, initial degree in construction
(1,000 euros and honorary diploma)

Final project: How to make the outer-wall construction of a detached house
The project explicitly goes through how to mount the wind protection slabs, erect the studs, and install the external cladding. Everyone, not only professionals, can use the project as a guide when renovating their outer wall.

Riikka Martikainen
South Savo Vocational College, initial degree in business and administration
(1,000 euros and honorary diploma)

Final project: Experience marketing and impact of shop environment on shopping behaviour
The project deals with how a shop environment can be used to produce experiences to meet the needs of customers, which are becoming more and more demanding.

Comprehensive schools, first and second grades

Five equal prizes:
(100 euros and honorary diploma)

Markus Hänninen, Ihastjärven koulu, grade 1
A water-driven car: The wheels are filled with water from a hose. If you push a lever forward, the front wheels are filled with water; and if you pull the lever backwards, the rear wheels are filled with water, making the car move backwards.

Anni Koponen and Emmi Pylvänäinen, Ihastjärven koulu, grade 0-1
A flower that changes colour when you add a powder in the watering can

Tuuli Korppinen, Hiirolan koulu, grade 2
Sound net: The end of a net produces a sound that can be controlled. The net helps make reindeer and sheep breeding easier. The pole ends identify a bear at a distance of 4 kilometres, and make a shrieking sound. The net glows at night.

Leevi Lausas, Vanhalan koulu, grade 2
Backpack skis: Foldaway skis that fit into a backpack. So they are easier to carry with you.

Touko Muinonen and Eetu Väätäinen, Otavan koulu, grade 1
Litter sensor: If someone drops litter, the sensor triggers the alarm. If you do not pick up the litter, the sound gets higher. To be fastened to the wall of a building, such as a shop.


Innoschool 2011 is supported by: Finnish National Board of Education, National Board of Patents and Registration, Innofinland, the city of Mikkeli, and the schools in the Mikkeli region.


For more information about the prize winners, please contact:

Mr Timo Suokas, Project Manager, Innofinland, tel. +358 (0)9 6939 5308, mob. +358 (0)40 772 1733, email timo.suokas(at)prh.fi

Ms Leena Puolimatka, Communication co-ordinator, Innofinland, tel. (09) 6939 5239, mob. 040 546 0125, email leena.puolimatka(at)prh.fi

Ms Kaisa Vähähyyppä, Counsellor of Education, Finnish National Board of Education, mob. 040 348 7702, email kaisa.vahahyyppa(at)oph.fi

Ms Anna Lauttamus-Kauppila, Director of Communications, National Board of Patents and Registration, mob. 050 5635724, email anna.lauttamus-kauppila(at)prh.fi