"Robotics is a modern craft that no one can do without"

At work in Riksu, there is a story series in which the employees of the city of Riihimäki talk about their work.

Esa Santakallio, who will retire in the fall, is the father of robotics in Riihimäki, who has tirelessly talked about the importance of technology education since the 80s. Thanks to him, Riihimäki is the capital of robotics in Finland, where closer cooperation between business life and educational institutions promises a good future.

"Robotics and information technology is such a valuable thing that it cannot be left only in the hands of engineers. It is today's general education, modern craftsmanship, which we all need in our everyday lives."

Santakallio states that robotics brings functions that make life easier and increase well-being.

"For example, a hand developed in Denmark, with which a person with Parkinson's disease can choose the input speed by eye movements. If a person fed, the patient would not have the same sense of control."

Esa Santakallio

• His basic education is M.Sc., teacher of technical work. Originally from Jyväskylä, lived in 11 places in Finland. Promoted technology education in education since the late 1980s. Trained teachers and developed teacher training.
• Worked for 23 years in Riihimäki as director of education and training, director of culture and development director of the robotics campus.

Robotics is part of craft education

At Riihimäki, every child studies 250 hours of robotics during their elementary school years. If he takes it as an elective, there will be 225 more hours. If he goes to the club, he gets at best another 200 hours of additional learning each year. The competence potential is strong already when moving to upper secondary school or vocational school.

"The school gives poor opportunities for academically weak students to succeed. In robotics, every child has a chance to excel, because it is always teamwork, which requires different strengths."

In Riihimäki's basic education, the handicraft common to all is divided into three areas. For example, in the 7th grade, Riihimäki has 1/3 technical work, 1/3 textile work and 1/3 robotics.

VEX robotics learning environments and equipment were acquired for the schools over the course of 3,5 years. They cost 141 euros, or 000 euros per pupil. It corresponds to the purchase price of one textbook.

"In ten years, we have made huge leaps forward. It is possible to study robotics from kindergarten to graduate level. Teaching takes place by itself, because a strong system has already been created. In elementary school, robotics is a normal subject for students, just like any other."

Santakallio is rightly proud of this achievement. Riihimäki has built a cost-neutral model, which can only be achieved by having a deep knowledge of the goals of the curriculum and the norms governing the organization of teaching. Riihimäki has strong foundations and support networks in robotics, as well as contacts at the national and international level.

After the development of basic education and early childhood education, it was the high school's turn, and Hyria's and HAMK's cooperation with the high school.

"My first task was to bring the area's six secondary school organizers under the same roof, so that they don't compete with each other for life. In 2004, based on a letter from the Ministry of Education and Culture, negotiations on the establishment of Hyria koulutus Oy started. The educational institution was canceled in 2009, and I consider that a hard achievement. Likewise, the fact that we got Riihimäki through a huge school investment program between 2002 and 2012. At that time, 12 school buildings were built or fundamentally improved."

Business life included

Riihimäki has a three-year head start in teaching robotics compared to other localities. The future goal is to connect Riihimäki's robotics more strongly to business life.

"If we know how to use the search time well, then we will have a thousand taala place near the capital region. In five years, robotics and automation have become enormously common. Last year, we interviewed 23 companies in the surrounding area and asked about their skills and workforce needs. I realized that the development of business incubator and educational institution cooperation still requires time. I strongly believe that within five years, new start-up companies in the field of robotics will start to appear. Now is the right time for me to give the package to the new area manager."

Everything works with cooperation. HAMK has been teaching robotics to mechanical engineering students since 2018. Starting in 2024, 100 new engineering students are expected annually for the new English-language ICT and Robotics training program. In addition, Hyria is currently developing extensive robotics studies with three training courses. 85 percent of Riksu's young people apply to study either in Hyria or in high school.

The Chamber of Commerce, Insinööriliitto and OP Etelä-Häme have provided financial support. The most talented students are hired as robo-agents to support teachers in club activities and competitions.

"It is important to build a business-oriented system. It is now in the works and I can retire without worry. I'm going to fulfill two of my dreams: to visit Norway and travel around the Baltic Sea with my wife in a car and a small caravan."

The biggest successes in robotics

• A continuum of robotics education from kindergarten to higher education that cannot be found elsewhere in Europe.
• At Riihimäki high school, robotics is offered for 25 credit points, of which HAMK accepts at least 15 credit points as part of all amk degrees.
• Robotics teaching and teacher training have been developed in cooperation with the universities of Oulu, Turku and Tampere.
• HAMK will start an international ICT and Robotics training program in English on 1.8.2024 August XNUMX in Riihimäki
• During the years 2021–2023, new ways of working in business and educational institution cooperation were developed in robotics.

Text: Reija Ypyä
Photos: Jenniina Nummela