Education Insights
STEM Education in Finland: A Model for Global Excellence
January 29, 2025
January 29, 2025
Across the world, STEM education is more critical than ever. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), 75% of the fastest-growing occupations require STEM skills. Yet, in the European Union, research indicates that 40% of companies struggle to find employees with the right STEM skills. In developing nations, limited access to quality STEM education creates barriers to innovation and economic growth.
While many countries struggle to keep pace with rapid technological advancements, Finland has emerged as a global leader in STEM education. Its hands-on learning methods, technology integration, and interdisciplinary approach make it a model for success. Unlike traditional education systems, Finnish STEM programs emphasize practical application, creativity, and student autonomy, ensuring learners are equipped with real-world problem-solving skills.
This article explores the key aspects of Finland’s STEM education, showcasing why it stands out and how educators worldwide can learn from its innovative approach.
In Finland, students are encouraged to explore and discover rather than memorize facts. STEM subjects are taught through experimentation, collaboration, and real-world applications. Instead of passively absorbing information, students actively engage with scientific concepts, using problem-solving techniques and creative thinking. Teachers guide students through open-ended projects that develop a deep understanding of STEM disciplines. This approach ensures that learning is interactive and engaging, helping students retain knowledge more effectively.
Rather than treating science, math, and technology as separate subjects, Finland integrates them into broader themes and projects. A single project may involve mathematical analysis, engineering concepts, and scientific experimentation, giving students a holistic understanding of STEM applications. This method not only makes learning more engaging but also mirrors the way STEM fields operate in the real world.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Finland’s STEM education is its stress-free learning environment. There are no standardized tests before high school, allowing students to focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing for exams. Without the pressure of constant testing, students are encouraged to experiment, take risks, and develop a genuine passion for STEM fields.
Finland’s STEM curriculum allows schools to adapt lessons based on student interests and current global trends. Teachers have autonomy in deciding how to teach STEM subjects, meaning they can incorporate current innovations, real-world problems, and cutting-edge technologies. This flexibility makes STEM learning dynamic, ensuring students remain motivated and engaged.
Finland’s STEM education is designed to engage students through practical experiences rather than textbooks alone. Instead of passively absorbing information, students participate in interactive projects that challenge them to think critically and apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios. Whether designing a sustainable energy system, programming a robot to navigate an obstacle course, or building a working model of a bridge, students engage in hands-on learning that enhances their problem-solving abilities and creativity.
Many Finnish schools incorporate robotics and coding into their STEM curriculum, preparing students for careers in technology and engineering. One real-life example is the Helsinki-based Koodi2016 initiative, a nationwide program that integrates coding and robotics education into Finnish schools. As part of this program, students design and program robots to complete specific tasks, such as navigating a maze, picking up and sorting objects, or even simulating emergency rescue operations. This initiative has been particularly successful in enhancing students’ computational thinking and problem-solving skills, equipping them with the knowledge needed for the rapidly evolving digital economy.
Hands-on STEM education encourages students to approach problems from multiple angles and test different solutions. Instead of simply memorizing formulas, students engage in experimentation, allowing them to fail, refine, and improve their approaches. This trial-and-error process mirrors real-world scientific inquiry, where problem-solving is iterative. As a result, students develop resilience and gain confidence in tackling complex challenges, whether in engineering, coding, or mathematics.
Collaboration is a fundamental aspect of STEM professions, and Finnish schools emphasize teamwork in their approach to STEM education. Students often work in small groups, tackling challenges that require brainstorming, dividing tasks, and combining their individual strengths. For example, a physics project might involve one student designing a blueprint for a catapult, another calculating launch angles, and a third constructing the actual device.
Finland ensures that STEM learning is technology-driven, equipping students with digital skills from an early age. By engaging with coding, robotics, 3D modeling, and simulations, students gain confidence in using technology as a tool for innovation rather than just consumption. Whether programming a machine-learning algorithm, developing an app to solve a local community issue, or creating a virtual prototype of an invention, students learn to harness technology creatively and effectively.
By learning STEM through experimentation, students retain knowledge longer and develop the ability to apply concepts in real-life scenarios. Research shows that students who engage in active learning retain up to 75% of the information, compared to just 10% through passive listening. This means that a student who builds an electric circuit and tests how different resistors affect voltage is far more likely to remember the underlying principles of Ohm’s Law than one who simply reads about it. Finnish educators prioritize real-world applications, ensuring students can connect what they learn in the classroom to real-life challenges, from sustainable energy solutions to artificial intelligence applications.
By learning STEM through experimentation, students retain knowledge longer and develop the ability to apply concepts in real-life scenarios.
Finland’s STEM education is powered by cutting-edge technology, making learning more interactive and engaging. Instead of relying solely on textbooks, students use advanced digital tools to explore scientific concepts, develop coding skills, and engage in engineering projects.
Virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) play a transformative role in Finland’s STEM classrooms, allowing students to experience science in a way that traditional methods cannot achieve. Using VR headsets, students can explore the human body in 3D, travel through the solar system, or conduct chemistry experiments in a virtual lab—without the risk of real-world hazards. For instance, a biology lesson might involve a VR tour inside a human cell, where students can zoom in on DNA strands and cellular organelles. This level of immersion enhances understanding and makes learning more engaging and memorable.
Gamification is revolutionizing STEM education in Finland, turning learning into an interactive and motivating experience. Schools use educational games that make subjects like coding, engineering, and mathematics fun and engaging. For example, students learning programming might use platforms like CodeCombat or Scratch, where they progress through levels by solving coding challenges. Similarly, physics students might experiment with interactive simulations where they adjust variables to observe real-world effects, such as changing gravity on a simulated Mars rover. By introducing rewards, challenges, and competition, gamification fosters deeper engagement and long-term retention of STEM concepts.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping STEM education by offering personalized learning experiences. AI-driven platforms analyze each student’s strengths and weaknesses, adapting lessons accordingly to provide customized challenges and feedback. In Finland, AI is used to track student progress, recommend exercises tailored to their learning pace, and even offer real-time assistance with problem-solving. For example, an AI-powered tutoring system might recognize when a student struggles with a math concept and provide additional explanations, interactive exercises, or step-by-step problem-solving guidance.
Finland has a thriving education technology (EdTech) sector, with numerous startups revolutionizing the way students engage with STEM subjects. These companies develop cutting-edge digital learning tools that make complex scientific and technological concepts more accessible and interactive.
Code School Finland is a leading EdTech startup that specializes in teaching coding, robotics, and AI to students of all ages. It provides teacher training programs and customized coding courses that align with Finland’s project-based learning approach. Instead of simply reading about programming, students engage in hands-on coding challenges, designing their own apps, games, and automation projects. One of Code School Finland’s standout initiatives is its AI programming course, where students train machine learning models to recognize patterns and automate processes. By working on real-world projects, students understand how artificial intelligence functions and how it can be applied in fields like healthcare, finance, and automation.
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ThingLink is another pioneering Finnish EdTech company that enhances STEM education by using augmented reality (AR) and interactive multimedia. With ThingLink’s platform, teachers can create immersive learning experiences where students explore scientific concepts through interactive images, videos, and 3D models. For example, a biology lesson could feature 360-degree virtual tours of ecosystems, where students can click on different organisms to learn about their roles in the food chain.
By integrating advanced digital tools like those developed by Code School Finland and ThingLink, Finnish schools ensure that students are not just consumers of technology but also creators. These tools help students develop critical STEM skills, such as coding, data analysis, AI programming, and scientific research, all of which are essential for the future workforce.
In Finland, teachers are highly qualified and respected professionals, playing a crucial role in shaping STEM education. STEM teachers undergo rigorous training, ensuring they are well-equipped to deliver innovative and engaging lessons that emphasize critical thinking and real-world applications. Unlike traditional education systems, where teachers often follow fixed curriculums, Finnish educators are encouraged to experiment with new teaching methodologies that align with student interests and global trends.
In Finland, STEM teachers have significant flexibility in how they design and deliver lessons. Rather than following a rigid, standardized curriculum, they tailor their teaching methods to accommodate student interests, learning styles, and real-world applications. For instance, if students show an interest in renewable energy, a science teacher might focus on solar panel experiments or wind turbine modeling as part of the lesson plan.
STEM educators in Finland continuously upgrade their knowledge and skills through regular workshops, training programs, and research collaborations. Schools and universities provide opportunities for teachers to engage with the latest advancements in STEM education, whether through AI integration, robotics, or interdisciplinary STEM projects. Additionally, Finnish teachers often participate in global education exchanges, where they learn best practices from other countries and apply new methodologies in their own classrooms.
In Finnish classrooms, teachers act as mentors and facilitators rather than just instructors. Instead of relying solely on lectures and textbooks, STEM teachers encourage students to experiment, build, and explore. For example, in a physics class, instead of simply explaining Newton’s laws, a teacher might guide students in building a roller coaster model to observe principles like gravity, acceleration, and friction in action. This practical, inquiry-based approach deepens understanding and helps students develop real-world problem-solving skills.
By investing in teacher training, autonomy, and continuous professional development, Finland ensures that STEM education remains dynamic, effective, and future-focused. Finnish teachers are not just educators but innovators, continually adapting their teaching methods to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st-century workforce.
Finland is committed to closing the gender gap in STEM by actively encouraging girls and minority groups to pursue careers in science and technology. Recognizing the historical underrepresentation of women and marginalized communities in these fields, Finland has developed inclusive education policies, mentorship programs, and scholarship initiatives to ensure equal opportunities.
One of the most effective strategies for increasing diversity in STEM is introducing all the students to STEM subjects at an early age. Finnish schools integrate coding, robotics, and engineering into the curriculum from primary education onward, ensuring that all students—regardless of gender or background—have an opportunity to develop an interest in STEM. For instance, children as young as seven years old participate in hands-on projects where they build simple robots, write basic code, or explore engineering principles through play-based activities. This early exposure helps eliminate biases, making STEM subjects feel accessible and engaging for all students.
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To inspire more girls and minority students to pursue STEM careers, Finland places strong emphasis on mentorship and representation. Schools regularly invite female scientists, engineers, and technology professionals to share their experiences, offer guidance, and serve as role models. These interactions help students visualize their own potential in STEM fields and dispel common misconceptions about who can succeed in technology and science. Additionally, mentorship programs pair students with industry professionals, allowing them to gain hands-on experience, career advice, and inspiration to pursue further STEM education.
Finland has implemented STEM scholarships and funding opportunities to support underrepresented groups in pursuing higher education and careers in STEM disciplines. These scholarships are designed to lower financial barriers and encourage students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to enroll in STEM courses at universities and technical institutes. By providing financial incentives and career support, Finland ensures that STEM education is accessible to all, regardless of gender, race, or economic status.
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Through early exposure, mentorship programs, and scholarships, Finland is making significant strides in promoting STEM diversity. These efforts not only benefit individuals but also strengthen the global workforce by ensuring that the best and brightest minds, regardless of background, have equal opportunities to contribute to STEM innovations.
Unlike many countries that rely heavily on standardized testing, Finland takes a performance-based approach to assessing STEM learning. Instead of measuring student success solely through exams, Finnish schools evaluate students based on their ability to apply knowledge in real-world scenarios. This practical, skills-focused assessment method helps students develop problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity, which are essential for success in STEM careers.
Rather than answering multiple-choice questions or writing standardized essays, Finnish STEM students are assessed through project-based learning. They work on real-world research projects, where they must develop hypotheses, conduct experiments, and present their findings. For example, a high school physics student may be tasked with designing and testing a renewable energy model, presenting their methodology, data analysis, and conclusions to a panel of teachers and peers. This approach not only measures technical knowledge but also improves communication, analytical thinking, and creativity.
Collaboration is a key aspect of modern STEM professions, and Finland incorporates team-based assessments to prepare students for real-world challenges. In STEM classrooms, students often work in small groups to solve complex engineering or coding problems, simulating workplace environments where teamwork is essential. These problem-solving exercises encourage critical thinking, adaptability, and cooperative learning, ensuring that students develop both technical and interpersonal skills.
Instead of relying on a single exam to determine a student’s performance, Finland uses portfolio assessments that track progress over time. Throughout their STEM education, students compile portfolios that showcase their projects, research papers, coding assignments, and engineering designs. These portfolios demonstrate growth, creativity, and mastery of skills, providing a more holistic view of student achievement than standardized tests. Teachers use these portfolios to offer personalized feedback and guide students toward improvement and deeper learning.
By adopting performance-based assessments rather than high-pressure exams, Finland nurtures creativity and independent thinking—two essential skills for success in STEM careers. Students are not judged solely on their ability to recall information but on how they apply STEM concepts in innovative ways. This forward-thinking assessment approach ensures that students graduate not just with knowledge, but with the skills and confidence to solve real-world problems in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Countries worldwide look to Finland’s STEM education model for inspiration. Its student-centered, technology-driven, and project-based learning approach has shown impressive results. Finland collaborates with global institutions, educators, and policymakers to share its best practices. Many countries are now adopting elements of Finland’s system to improve their STEM education. This model equips students with critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, which are essential in today’s world. Here's how other countries can learn from Finland:
Finland focuses on hands-on learning rather than traditional lectures. Students actively engage in experiments and real-world projects instead of memorizing theories. A physics lesson, for example, may involve designing and testing model airplanes instead of just studying equations. This method improves engagement, understanding, and retention. Countries that shift toward project-based learning can help students develop practical problem-solving skills for future careers.
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STEM teachers in Finland receive extensive training before entering the classroom. They have the autonomy to adapt lessons and introduce new teaching methods. Unlike rigid curriculums in some countries, Finnish educators design flexible lesson plans based on student needs. Investing in teacher training programs helps educators worldwide improve STEM instruction. Well-trained teachers can better engage students and make learning more effective.
Technology plays a key role in Finland’s STEM classrooms. Students use VR, coding platforms, and AI-driven tools to explore concepts interactively. Chemistry students, for example, mix chemical compounds in virtual simulations instead of using real lab equipment. Gamified learning tools also help make subjects more engaging. Other countries can enhance STEM education by integrating digital tools and game-based learning strategies.
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Many educators visit Finland to observe its STEM teaching methods. They often highlight how Finnish schools focus on collaboration rather than competition. Students learn at their own pace without high-stress exams. Many visitors return inspired by Finland’s relaxed yet high-achievement approach. Countries looking to reform STEM education can learn from Finland’s flexible and student-focused model.
Finland has proven that STEM education can be engaging, innovative, and effective without placing unnecessary pressure on students. By focusing on project-based learning, technology integration, and teacher autonomy, Finland’s approach prepares students for the future in a way that few other education systems do.
Are you curious about what makes Finland’s STEM education so effective? Book a school visit today and experience the innovative teaching methods, hands-on learning, and technology-driven classrooms that are shaping the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. See for yourself how Finland is preparing students for the future!
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