Release Date: 2025-02-25

21 undergraduate students from the Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, led by faculty members Zhang Yijing and Xiao Xiyao, participated in the "LUMA Teacher Training Program" winter exchange program at the University of Helsinki and the University of Turku in Finland from February 13 to 23rd, 2025. The exchange program was focused on innovation and practice in science education, which has involved academic lectures, classroom observations, scientific practice, and cultural visits to explore the Finnish education system and teacher training models in depth.

Figure 1:Arriving at the University of Turku.

Course Learning: Integration of Theory and Practice

The academic part of the programs has concentrated on the intersection of psychology and science education. Oona Kiviluoto, specialist at the LUMA Centre Finland network, systematically introduced Finland's national strategy for science education. Dr. Lotta Uusitalo has given a lecture entitled "Positive Pedagogy and the Use of Strengths in Learning" using the PERMA model of positive psychology (positive emotions, engagement, meaning, relationships, and achievement) to explain why focusing on students' strengths can enhance teaching effectiveness. During the course, students and teachers interacted through personality strength cards and case studies of the "iceberg model" for goal achievement, experiencing the learner-centered educational philosophy.

Figure 2: Lotta Uusitalo applies positive psychology to education.

The delegation paid a visit to a comprehensive nine-year secondary school in Helsinki to observe English and mathematics classes. Where the students could observe open discussions, interdisciplinary task design, and teacher-guided questioning strategies demonstrated in Finnish basic education system and emphasis the key role of students' critical thinking.

Figure 3: Observing classes at the nine-year integrated school

Scientific Practice: From Laboratory to Educational Frontline

At the Helsinki Science Center Heureka, students observed over 400 interactive exhibits which has transformed principles of physics, chemistry, and other disciplines into fun experiments. Students intuitively understood scientific knowledge by building wind turbine models and operating molecular structure devices. The Science Museum showcased the trajectory of Finnish technological innovation through exhibits such as Nokia communication devices and polar scientific research equipment.

At the University of Turku, the students team has deeply engaged in science education practice, including:

1. Phenomenon-Based Learning Experiment guided by Laszlo Major and Matleena Tuomisto. Students conducted the "mystery powder identification" experiment (observing physical characteristics, acid-base reactions, etc.) to grasp the logic of phenomenon-based teaching design.

Figure 4: Exploring the mysterious powder.

(1) Liquid Nitrogen Superconductivity Experiment given by Dr. Pasi Nurmi, which demonstrated low-temperature physical phenomena such as liquid nitrogen magnetic levitation and high-speed operation of superconducting tracks.

(3) 3D Printing Workshop given by Professor Heidi Piili, which instructed students in operating industrial printers to complete works such as metal Eiffel Tower models and explored the application prospects of 3D printing of biological tissues.

Figure 5: Hands-on and computer practice in the 3D printing workshop

Interdisciplinary Integration: Psychology and Frontier Technologies

Dr. Tuomo Häikiö from the Department of Psychology at the University of Turku showcased the application of eye-tracking technology in dyslexia research, which has allowed students to experience portable eye-tracking devices firsthand. Dr. Laszlo Major has compared artificial neural networks with human brain cognitive mechanisms, sparked the students’ discussions on the integration of artificial intelligence and psychology.

Figure 6: Students experience wearable eye-tracking devices.

During the academic discussion session, Dr. Nie Peixin and Dr. Liu Xiazhen shared their research findings: Dr. Nie Peixin verified the transfer effect of music training on language working memory through pitch training and cross-experiments with native language backgrounds. Dr. Liu Xiazhen designed a music intervention program for Chinese language teaching, combining tools such as digit span tasks and pitch memory tasks to improve the efficiency of Chinese language learning among Finnish children.

Cultural Visits: A Dialogue Between Nature and Science

The team visited the University of Turku's Zoological Museum (with a collection of 4 million specimens), Botanical Garden (greenhouse conservation and digital management), and Observatory (black hole simulation devices and lens coating technology), students have gained an in-depth understanding of Finland's educational practice of "Transforming Nature into Learning Spaces"

Figure 7: Visiting the botanical garden.

Future Collaboration: Looking forward to a bright future

Beijing Normal University and Finnish universities have a solid foundation of cooperation in teacher training and science education. This exchange, supported by the "Sino-Finnish Joint Learning Innovation Institute (JoLii)," further promotes collaboration between the two sides in curriculum development and educational technology validation. In the future, the Faculty of Psychology will continue to expand international training pathways to provide students with broader academic platforms.