The aim of this case study is to highlight the importance of chemistry studies through seeing their real-life application and the professions in which chemists could be employed. At the same time, the students were introduced to local businesses so that they were also aware of the employment opportunities in their home region. There is a wide range of industrial sectors that need chemists.

Case study description. The company was happy to welcome the students and hopes to continue the visits in the future. The students wrote a report on the visit, describing in their own words the company’s business idea and giving feedback on the visit. The students found the visit interesting and felt that it added value to their chemistry studies and broadened their understanding of the need for chemistry skills in industry. The area of operation of this company fits in with the topics of the 4th chemistry course, but equally, chemistry students could visit other companies in the region where chemistry skills are useful.

There are other companies in the area to which similar visits could be made. The company could be either local or remote, depending on its nature. The choice of where to go could be made with the students, for example by listing possible companies to visit and getting the students themselves to contact the company of their choice. The aim is to carry out visits on a regular (yearly) basis.

Authors: UuLops ESF project; Haapajärvi Upper Secondary School, teacher Maria Keränen and students