Objectives
The main objectives of the Kemma Centre for Chemistry Education are to support in-service and pre-service chemistry teachers in increasing the standard of learning and competence in chemistry, and also to develop chemistry education and chemistry education research, keeping in mind the need to increase the interest towards the subject itself.
The services and activities of the Kemma Centre are aimed at in-service and pre-service teachers, education researchers, as well as for the children and youth. The library has a collection of research literature and school textbooks. Kemma also facilitates a meeting spot for teachers and students for studying, relaxation and coffee breaks. Online Kemma publishes educational materials, theses, and articles by prospective teachers.
Co-operation
Kemma collaborates with administrative authorities, schools and educational institutes, museums, media, industry, and different organizations.
Kemma coordinates collaborative project called ChemistryLab Gadolin, which was launched in autumn 2008. The three year pilot project (2008–2011) was successful and the project will continue. ChemistryLab Gadolin is a hub for study visits and activities that support the learning and teaching of chemistry that aims to increase the interest towards chemistry and awareness of its vast potential. ChemistryLab Gadolin is a collaboration project with the Department of Chemistry of the University of Helsinki, the Finnish Chemical Industry Federation, companies, pedagogical associations and schools and educational institutes.
Organisation
The Kemma Centre for Chemistry Education is located within the University of Helsinki’s Department of Chemistry.
Kemma is part of Finland’s Science Education Centre LUMA that supports the development of teaching and education in natural sciences and mathematics in Finland. LUMA Centre was founded in 2003.
Kemma was the first subject-specific resource centre to be launched within LUMA Centre, in 2004. Different kinds of activities (e.g. summer courses and camps for young people) have been organised by the Department of Chemistry since the 1980s. Kemma has carried on with these activities, developing them further along the way.
Nowadays, other resource centres include Biopop for biology, F2k for physics, Geopiste for geography, Linkki for computer science, LumO for pedagogy and Summamutikka for mathematics. Kemma operates in close collaboration with the other resource centres and actively participates in LUMA Centre’s interdisciplinary activities, camps, and courses.
