The Science Park's school offering to upper secondary students in Akershus is at risk: A unique offering under pressure from the county council's budget cuts
Vitenparken Campus Ås has developed and delivered innovative learning opportunities tailored to upper secondary students and teachers since 2016, when they became an official regional knowledge center.
Vitenparken has a mandate to support school Norway with knowledge-raising measures aimed at both students and teachers. Now this offer is in danger, as Akershus County Municipality has not included funds in its budget for 2025.
In 2023 alone, Vitenparken educational offerings to nearly 8,000 students from upper secondary schools. The center stands out compared to other regional knowledge centers, as the main emphasis of the Science Park's educational deliveries is for upper secondary school students - of which the other regional knowledge centers usually have their main emphasis on educational deliveries to the middle stage of primary school.
An invaluable resource for teachers and students
Vitenparken is also an important resource for teachers. Through courses in collaboration with NMBU, especially the university's departments ILU and SEVU, offers Vitenparken useful skills-building measures.
Teacher courses Vitenparken provides assistance in covering areas such as:
- programming,
- outdoor education (including school gardens),
- education for sustainable development,
- creative teaching methodology and creative school methodology.
The courses assist teachers in various methods to make theory more practical, and build bridges between different subject areas, especially within science, digital and technological competence development, and the interdisciplinary themes in the Curriculum such as Sustainable Development.
An important link between upper secondary schools and higher education
Over many years, Vitenparken functioned as a link between upper secondary schools and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) – Norway's sustainability university! Through learning opportunities both on Campus and directly at the schools, Vitenparken students gain insight into key topics within sustainability, technology and natural sciences, and contribute to recruitment to several of the sustainability-focused study programs at NMBU.
An irreplaceable partner in the fight against school dropout and exclusion
With its diversity of educational offerings, Vitenparken also a key player in the work against school dropout and exclusion. The center's Talent Center for Sustainability gives students with great learning potential the opportunity to delve into topics such as robotics, programming, quantum physics, genetics, the natural and climate crisis, medicine, and architecture, etc. Students are granted valid absences for assemblies, which are considered "other education" during school hours.
The offer is an adapted educational offer for students with great learning potential – a student group that research shows has a higher risk of feeling socially excluded, and is at risk of dropping out. The students get to meet like-minded people, and thus challenge themselves both academically and socially. These students are entitled to adapted education in line with the Education Act, but are also a value and benefit for society and future sustainable development. The students need adapted offers so that they are motivated and can perform to their full potential.
A necessity for the county's youth and the future of society
With the county's goal of providing youth with training and education to equip its young citizens for a sustainable future, it is crucial that the Science Park's work continues. Through its practical offerings, it develops Vitenparken students' "21st Century Skills" - skills such as problem solving, creative thinking, collaboration and technological understanding - and helps build action skills among young people in the face of a future that requires sustainable transformation.
Is Akershus losing a valuable resource?
Without financial support from the county, it would not be possible for Vitenparken to maintain this valuable offer. This means that Akershus' upper secondary schools lose access to a unique resource, which gives students practical experience and builds competence in meeting tomorrow's challenges.
For more information, contact:
Solveig Mary Molvaer Arnesen
Managing Director
Phone: 916 06 355
Aiyana Hudgins
Deputy Head and Educational Officer
Phone: 922 05 909
In the photo: Students from Foss VGS engaged in the Green Coding program.
Credits: Vitenparken .
Do not copy or distribute without permission from Vitenparken .