Finnish youngsters’ invention wins Finnish-Estonian innovation competition

In the Future Makers competition, 13-14 year old secondary school students come up with solutions to the challenges of different industrial companies.

The winner was Sääksjärvi School from Lempääl with its general team. The glue was developed in cooperation with Kiillo.

ECOGRIP glue is made entirely from natural and nature-based raw materials. The manufacturing process uses solar and wind energy.

– The adhesive’s properties make it suitable for all ages, according to its introductory text.

A computer and four glue jars with Ecogrip text on the table. — The international jury praised the winning team for its environmentally friendly and finished product.

In addition, the team from Eura’s joint school won the prizes in the \”Makers of the Future\” competition from Finland. It invented using the by-product of poultry production, i.e. feathers, to insulate buildings.

Lohtaja school, Vista unified school from Paimio and Sammonlahti school from Lappeenranta also made it to the final of the competition held in Tallinn.

Commercial potential

A dark-haired woman wearing glasses gives an interview. — The organisers of the competition were consciously aiming to make the challenges given to young people real-life and demanding,” says Anni Siltanen.

– Among other things, we found these science competitions and came to the conclusion that we want to learn from the Estonians and we want to create something that we don’t have in Finland yet, Siltanen tells Yle.

According to him, many of the innovations that reached the final competition have real commercial potential.

– I think there are some very interesting things here. If I were a financier, I would be interested in more of these, says Siltanen.

The competition was supported by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, the Estonian Ministry of Economy and Communications, the TT Foundation, the Estonian Research Agency and several business partners.