ºÚÁÏÍø

News

Open-minded innovations from young people improve the life of our planet

The Millennium Youth Prize competition organised by Aalto University and Technology Academy Finland inspires teenagers to become involved in technology and innovation. The youth hold the key to a better future - after all, innovations are born from bold, new thinking.
MYP

In August, professors at Aalto University gave under 19-year-olds four different challenges in global sustainable development:

  • How to eliminate the carbon dependence in our society?
  • How to utilise the opportunities of light in the fight against climate change?
  • How to remove plastic pollution from the sea?
  • How to utilise a quantum computer?

Pieces submitted for the competition propose new, feasible solutions to these challenges. The assessment criteria are scientific rigour, imagination, creativity, innovativeness and feasibility.

Young people's interest in environmental issues was evident in the competition, and the challenges inspired 15 high-quality solutions that were very different from each other. The largest number of solution proposals responded to the challenge of removing plastic pollution from the seas.

The final of the competition will be held online on Friday 9 October at 13.00. The link for the online finale will be published on the event page.

The bar was high and the competition was even so the jury decided to select six candidates for the final. They are:

Rasmus Suonio, Lassi Niemelä and Max Masalin (How to utilise a quantum computer?)

Anette Heinonen (How to utilise the opportunities of light in the fight against climate change?)

Ella Hannuksela & Danilo Karaica (How to remove plastic pollution from the sea?)

Adam Yousfi (How to eliminate the carbon dependence in our society?)

Martta Matinaho and Saara Matinaho (How to remove plastic pollution from the sea?)

Indra Halviala (How to remove plastic pollution from the sea?)

Further information and contact details:

 Veli-Matti Ikävalko

Veli-Matti Ikävalko

Aalto University Junior coordinator
  • Updated:
  • Published:
Share
URL copied!

Read more news

Four students talk in a workshop, surrounded by tools, workbenches and industrial equipment.
University Published:

Aalto University endowment returned 9.5% during first half of 2026

Endowment provides EUR 46 million funding to university operations in 2026.
Summer course participants, photo taken by Ezgi Turtgut
Cooperation, Studies Published:

TUM + Aalto SGT summer course brings participants closer to the complexities of governing West African countries through interactive simulation

Returning for a second consecutive year, the TUM (Technical University of Munich) + SGT summer course was hosted at Aalto University on 3-5 June 2026. The three-day course brought together students and staff from different disciplines to explore political, economic, and environmental decision-making through an interactive simulation.
People talk at a tech fair booth, one with a backpack, another in blue checked shirt, machines beside them
Cooperation Published:

Want to meet the future of deep tech? NORDEEP at Dipoli, Sept 16–17, 2026

At NORDEEP, inventors and founders can connect with investors, and Aalto’s researchers can explore the deep tech startup world and connect with peers who have already ventured into it. Tickets are available for Aaltonians.
Indoor green plants on a windowsill with text overlay: SPACE21 NEWSLETTER #1
University Published:

Space21 Newsletter #1

24 different projects. 3 community events. Films developed with coffee, doughnuts for economics, apocalyptic games. Welcome to the Space21 Newsletter #1.