The summit opened at the Newton Flight Academy in Bodø on Monday with an informal gathering, bringing together Newton’s global network of partners and educators. Representatives from nine of the twelve countries with established permanent Newton Rooms were present.
The summit opened at the Newton Flight Academy in Bodø on Monday with an informal gathering, bringing together Newton’s global network of partners and educators. Representatives from nine of the twelve countries with established permanent Newton Rooms attended.
The summit was founded by Boeing, and offers an opportunity to delve into the Newton Concept and create meaningful relationships across borders.
Tuesday's schedule was filled with discussions, presentations, and valuable networking opportunities at the PBL Conference Centre.
Per-Arild Konradsen, Fouder and CEO of FIRST Scandinavia, delivered an inspiring opening address, sharing the story behind FIRST Scandinavia and the Newton initiative.
Per-Arild Konradsen, Founder and CEO of FIRST Scandinavia,
Konradsen described the multidisciplinary nature of the FIRST Scandinavia team, which includes professionals from fields such as accounting, logistics, graphic design, education, interior design, civil engineering, and marketing. Despite their varied backgrounds, the team is committed to enhancing young people's learning experiences through practical science education.
Sustainable Development Goal 4
He highlighted the critical importance of Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. He underscored, "This is the cornerstone of all sustainability goals — without addressing this, we will not solve the other 16."
Silje Kumeus, COO of FIRST Scandinavia, served as conference host and underscored the importance of engaging with the network in her introduction. “This year's summit represents an opportunity for our partners to connect, explore the Newton Concept, and deepen their understanding of operational and educational strategies."
Pellegrino Riccardi held an inspirational talk about communication, collaboration, and cultural differences between countries.
The day continued with Pellegrino Riccardi delivering a keynote speech that set a motivational tone for the summit. Attendees also heard from international partners and Newton teachers, including Guro Rørvik from the National Centre for STEM Recruitment, and three teachers from Norway—Torgeir Kårvand, Sofie Langseth Pedersen, and Line Føsker—who shared insights into their experiences in their Newton Rooms.
The attendees shared laughs and enjoyed keynote speech from Pellegrino Riccardi.
After the official programme, the FIRST Scandinavia team led a group up the city mountain, Keiservarden, followed by an informal dinner.
Diving into the Concept
On the second day, the focus shifted to the key elements of the Newton concept, led by the educational specialists Pedrikke, Ørjan, and Kjersti, who are responsible for teaching, training, and managing the network.
Silje Kumeus, COO of FIRST Scandinavia, tied the days together as the conference host.
Silje Kumeus expressed her satisfaction with the summit: “These have been fantastic days with the network, and we finally had the chance to show them how the unique collaboration between schools, governments, and industry is crucial for all parties involved and how this forms the foundation in the Newton Concept."
Korandsen concluded the summit by reiterating its overarching goal:
"Unfortunately, the Newton organizations in Poland, Spain, Azerbaijan, France, and China were unable to participate this time, but we look forward to them attending next year.
We are committed to building an international Newton network that makes a difference, offering children and young people positive learning experiences in science, while also contributing to the development of the soft skills that are essential in today's world. After these days together in Bodø, we are well on our way to achieving that."
Some highlights from Newton Partner Summit 2024
