Heureka x Microsoft
The two-week Robotics Weeks were organized in Heureka on September 16–27, 2024, in which more than 1,900 fifth graders and their teachers from Espoo, Kirkkonummi and Vihti participated. Microsoft made these visits possible for school groups in the vicinity of its future data centers.
Microsoft offered the nearby areas of its future data centers
fifth-graders of the schools had the opportunity to visit the science center Heureka during the Robotics Weeks on September 16-27, 2024, and more than 1,900 students and their teachers took the opportunity. The visits were carried out as so-called sponsored science class visits.
With the support of partners in the sponsored science class activities, Heureka visits are made possible every year for numerous school- and early childhood-age children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to visit in the science center. The sponsored science class package includes entrance tickets to Heureka's exhibitions and round-trip charter bus transportation from the school to Heureka and back. In addition, during the Robotics Weeks, the Microsoft foster classes got to know robotics and programming by making and experimenting with various workshop programs.
Sponsored class visits to Heureka made possible by the partners inspire students to get to know the achievements of science and the things that make our everyday lives easier to innovations. The visits also motivate students in their studies and give ideas and direction for future working life.
"Microsoft has cooperated with Heureka in conceptualizing the Artificial Intelligence – Me, Myself & AI exhibition, and these godparent class visits implemented with the support of Microsoft were a good continuation of the fruitful cooperation. It would be great if we could work together to inspire children and young people about technology." says Mervi Airaksinen, CEO of Microsoft Oy.
Microsoft supported future class visits in the vicinity of its data centers as part of its goals to be an active player and a good neighbor in its data center locations.
Microsoft's future data centers will provide physical infrastructure for information technology, which is utilized both in the school world, in working life and in free time. The data center is involved whenever, for example, we open applications, join distance learning classes or meetings, take and save photos or play games with friends online. Data centers are not only important for schools, but also for the operation of local companies, hospitals and authorities. They bring more data processing capacity to society's increasing need for data storage, processing and management.