A record 1453 applications from 100 countries received for Millennium Youth Camp 2011

A total of 1453 applications for the 2011 international Millennium Youth Camp (MY Camp) were received before the deadline, an increase of almost 50% compared to the number received last time. The target of the international Millennium Youth Camp (MY Camp) is to find young people interested in mathematics, science and technology, and help them start up a career in these fields.

“MY Camp applicants are talented and enthusiastic young people who are determined to have an influence on the future of our planet through scientific endeavour,” said Maija Aksela, Chair of the MY Camp Steering Group. “As in 2009, applications for MY Camp 2011 indicate deep concern over the current state of the world and a burning desire to join other MY Campers in exploring solutions to the challenges we all face.”

Theme groups for MY Camp 2011 camp are climate change, renewable natural resources and energy, water, ICT and digitalisation, and applied mathematics. The distribution of applications between themes was remarkably even. The climate change group received the largest number of applications (351) with renewable natural resources and energy close behind (332).

 “At 51%, the proportion of application received from girls was once again slightly higher”, said Aksela. “Applications were received from a total of 100 countries on all continents, some 30 countries more than last year.”

The highest number of applications (160) came from Russia. Significant numbers of applications were received from Romania (115), Kazakhstan (81), Bulgaria (79), Poland (70), Indonesia (55) and Slovenia (51), and 40 applications came from Finland. Other countries from which applications were received included China, Gambia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand and the United States.

MY Camp is organised by Technology Academy Finland in co-operation with the Finnish Science Education Centre LUMA.

Arranged for the second time next year, MY Camp will take place on 11–17 June 2011. The application deadline was 15 December 2010. A total of 30 participants will be selected by 15 March 2011.

Further information:

Ainomaija Haarla, President and CEO, Technology Academy Finland; Chair of the project, ainomaija.haarla(at)technologyacademy.fi, tel. +358 40 716 0703

Professor Maija Aksela, Chair of the MY Camp steering group, The Finnish Science Education Centre LUMA, The University of Helsinki, maija.aksela(at)helsinki.fi, tel. +358 50 514 1450

Press contact:

Emilia Erkinheimo, Communications Officer, Technology Academy Finland, emilia.erkinheimo(at)technologyacademy.fi, tel. +358 50 5877 144

MY Camp website:www.millenniumyouthcamp.fi(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)