Altogether 139 entries in the Viksu 2012 competition

14.12.2012

The 15th round of Viksu, the science competition of the Academy of Finland, closed on 26 November 2012.   This time, altogether 139 entries from 31 senior secondary schools were submitted to the competition. The entries were drawn up by a total of 153 students, including 126 individuals, 10 pairs and 2 teams. Of the participants, 101 were girls and 52 boys.

Viksu has two categories, namely one for students studying for the national matriculation examination, and the other for those studying for an International Baccalaureate (IB) examination. In this round, 45 entries were submitted in the national category and 94 in the IB category. Of the entries, 81 were written in English, 53 in Finnish and 5 in Swedish. “In 2011, none of the entries was in Swedish.  We are pleased that this time there were entries in Swedish as well,” says Terhi Loukiainen, Communications Specialist at the Academy of Finland.

The most popular topics

As before, the majority of projects, 85 entries, represented the fields of humanities and social sciences. One of these entries did not meet the eligibility criteria, and will therefore not be reviewed. The second most popular fields were biosciences and environmental research (27 entries), followed by health-related studies (16 entries). In this round, natural sciences and engineering were represented the least (11 entries). The number of entries in the field of natural sciences declined by more than one half from previous years.

The relative popularity of topics from various fields remained largely unchanged. For the second consecutive year, history was in the lead with a total of 24 entries. It was followed by essays concerning native language and literature, a total of 21 entries.  Other popular topics were psychology and economics, both of which were represented by 14 entries. Only 9 entries dealt with mathematics.

A total of 18 entries are taking part in the theme competition, Health 2012. In addition to other prizes, this round features a special prize for the best entry in the field of health education.

Most entries from Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu and Joensuun Lyseo Upper Secondary School

Helsingin Suomalainen Yhteiskoulu (SYK) and Joensuun Lyseo Upper Secondary School represented the most active schools in terms of participation: a total of 19 entries were submitted from each of these schools. They were followed by Ressun lukio (Helsinki) and Tikkurila Upper Secondary (Vantaa), with 13 entries from each. Mattlidens gymnasium (Espoo) contributed with 10 entries, and Tampereen lyseon lukio high school with 8 entries. Moreover, there were several new schools participating this time, including the senior secondary schools in Nakkila, Ivalo, Kurikka and Karhula.

The best will be short-listed on the basis of expert reviews

Reviewers to evaluate the competition entries are currently being sought from among the Academy researcher community.  The reviewers are top experts in their fields; for example, Academy Research Fellows from all over Finland are often recruited for this task. They will read the essays and issue their statements, and on the basis of their statements, the best entries will be selected for the final evaluation.

“Researchers are enthusiastic about this evaluation task, since the Viksu entries offer an opportunity to glimpse into the world of today’s senior secondary school students. The reviewers admire the level of creativity and ambition in the entries. And who wouldn’t admire: time after time, the quality and diversity of the entries succeed in surprising even us, the competition organisers!” explains Loukiainen.

In early spring 2013, the Viksu evaluation panel of the Academy of Finland will convene to discuss the entries that have received the best reviews. The panel is comprised of four professors representing the four Research Councils of the Academy, a representative of the Finnish National Board of Education, the chairman of the Union of the Finnish Upper Secondary School Students (SLL), and the Academy’s Communication Specialist responsible for the Viksu competition. The panel will present its proposal for the winning entries to the President of the Academy.

The winners of Viksu 2012 to be celebrated in March 2013

In each Viksu category, 5-7 top entries will be awarded prizes. In addition, the best health education entry will be presented with the Health 2012 theme award (1,000 euro). Thus, in this round, a maximum of 15 entries can be awarded prizes. Active and/or successful schools and inspiring teachers will be rewarded as well. The total monetary value of the prizes is 30,000 euro. Apart from the prizes, many universities and faculties will admit Viksu winners to studies without an entrance examination; their applications will be handled through a separate selection process. The winners will be contacted personally in spring 2013.

All those who have participated in the Viksu competition in 2012 will also be given personal feedback on their entries in April 2013.