Kolm Põrsakest and Tartu Youth Work Centre inspire future innovators

July 9, 2020

Science popularizer Kolm Põrsakest and Tartu Youth Work Center are jointly organizing an inspiring program for young people this autumn called 'Future Innovators'. The program aims to boost young people's courage to experiment, curiosity, ambition, and scientific grounding. Additionally, the program supports the integration of young people with and without special needs.

The Põrsakesed believe that these are the values necessary for creating innovation and new knowledge. The program aims to emphasize that anyone can become an innovator if they find enough persistent drive. However, since people are different, the challenges that need to be overcome are also different. The program's activities support the values necessary for creating innovation and raise awareness about various special needs.

“The activities engage young people with very diverse backgrounds, abilities, knowledge, and skills in science-based activities. This teaches young people cooperation and develops social skills through exciting and engaging activities,” said Grete Sarap, director of the Tartu Youth Work Center. “One major advantage of the project is that young people learn to conduct activities themselves during the project, and thereby can pass on the knowledge they've learned to other young people in the future (under the supervision and responsibility of an adult mentor, of course). This, in turn, contributes to the growth of interest in science and its wider dissemination among young people and in Tartu youth centers. Kolm Põrsakest is a trustworthy partner, whose innovative ideas are implemented and whose youth learning process always takes place in a safe and supportive environment where all participants can feel equally included.”

The activities of the “Future Innovators” program will take place in Tartu from September to December 2020. Young people aged 11-19 from Tartu and its surroundings are welcome to participate. The organization of program activities has also taken into account visual, auditory, and mobility special needs. Registration begins on August 15th. Additionally, public events will be held during the summer and autumn as part of the program to introduce it and raise awareness of special needs. The first activities will take place in the area of Tartu Youth Work Centre on Autovabaduse puiestee.

The activity is funded within the framework of activities described in the ESF co-funded program "Involving young people at risk of exclusion and improving youth employability," approved by the Minister of Education and Research and implemented by the Estonian Youth Work Centre.

Kolm Põrsakest grew out of the best Estonian and European student company of 2013. Põrsakesed popularize science, which means developing the core values of Põrsakesed (curiosity, courage to experiment, scientific basis, and ambition) both in our target groups and within the Põrsakesed family. The main activities of Põrsakesed are organizing science theatre and hobby education, and creating educational materials for STEAM, or MATIK education (Mathematics, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts).

The Tartu Youth Work Center is a sub-institution of the Tartu City Government's Department of Culture, which began its activities on May 2, 2018. The center's goal is to create an inspiring and innovative youth work environment for the young people of Tartu, so that they can develop into active, creative, and happy individuals.

More information about the program can be found here:
www.kolmporsakest.ee/tuleviku-innovaatorid

More information:

Kolm Põrsakest
Omari Loid
omari@kolmporsakest.ee
+372 5816 1508

Tartu Youth Work Centre
Mariiliis Maremäe
mariliis.maremae@raad.tartu.ee
+372 5303 4193

Activities are funded within the framework of the European Social Fund co-funded program "Involving young people at risk of exclusion and improving youth employability," approved by the Minister of Education and Research and implemented by the Education and Youth Board.

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