OSLO/NORWAY : Siv Andrea Gulaker is a lower secondary science and mathematics teacher for students at Teglverket School in Oslo. When the mobile Newton Room visited the Norwegian capital, she took on the role of Newton teacher for three weeks.

The mobile Newton Room is a fully equipped, expandable classroom built inside two specially designed containers. In Oslo, it was located outside the Armed Forces Museum at Akershus Fortress. The room was officially opened on 8 April by, among others, Mayor Anne Lindboe and Liberal Party leader Guri Melby. The visit to Norway was the result of the collaboration between Boeing and FIRST Scandinavia, with the Norwegian Defence Museum and Norwegian as local partners.

 

Siv Andrea Gulaker starting the day’s briefing in the amphitheatre. This is where the foundation for the mission was laid before the students took on the roles of pilots and navigators. All photos: FIRST Scandinavia

 

During these weeks, Siv taught 265 students from Oslo schools in the mathematics module Up in the Air With Numbers. Among other things, the students carried out observation flights in flight simulators and used mathematical calculations to plan and complete their missions.

Siv was supported by a team of instructors: Ida Brathen, Ole Tobias Bastiansen and Harald Usterud, who guided the students in the flight simulators.

“It has been both exciting and educational. It has been fantastic to try something different from what I usually do,” Siv says.

There was a high level of concentration around the tables as the students prepared their flights.

The students from Teglverket School had to use both mathematics and logic when plotting their flight route.

Her impression is that the Newton Concepts practical approach really engages the students.

“My impression is that students generally become very engaged when they get to try something new. There has been a lot of enthusiasm. Many students take the mission very seriously and gradually understand what the theoretical knowledge is actually used for. It is wonderful to see!”

She is in no doubt about what is needed to increase children and young people’s interest in STEM subjects in the future: more practical work.

“Students love lab work and practical projects. The most important thing is that we use theory for something meaningful, so that students see the value of what they are learning. It becomes much easier to understand theory when you can ‘see’ it in front of you. That makes the subjects both more accessible and more engaging.”

 

Two students from Teglverket School in deep concentration at the controls.

 

Positive feedback
In total, Siv taught 90 hours in the mobile Newton Room, and the feedback from teachers and students has been very positive.

In the evaluations, one student answered the question about what the best part of the visit was:

“I thought the tasks were exciting, especially flying the flight simulator. I thought it was cool to calculate knots and nautical miles.”

One of the visiting class teachers answered:

“Seeing the students become engaged by connecting theory to practice.”

After three weeks as a guest teacher, Siv has gained a real taste for the Newton concept. She hopes even more students will have the opportunity to experience this in the future, and she is positive about the idea of a permanent Newton Room in the capital.

“It has definitely been interesting and exciting. I would not rule out being curious if a permanent Newton Room were to appear in Oslo,” she concludes with a smile.