Supporting technology focus in Norwegian schools

(Published in the June 2008 issue of the magazine GEO)

The future sees numerous challenges where new technology will be in focus. Climate changes and an increased global energy need – with associated emission and storage problems – are on the agenda of the Norwegian politicians. But Norwegian pupils score low internationally in sciencerelated topics such as mathematics.

“Norway has a unique potential to be among the leaders in the development of future technology if we focus correctly and hard enough. We want to contribute towards Norway becoming a leading nation for future technology development and have decided to address actions towards schools,” says Chief Technology Officer of Rocksource, Dr. Jonny Hesthammer.

Dr. Jonny Hesthammer with some of the teachers that practise learning with content from the Technobag before bringing it into the classroom. Photo: Wenche Fivelsdal

Stimulates curiosity

Twelve schools in the Bergen region recently received learning material that aim to stimulate creativity and innovation. The idea is to create enthusiasm by bridging the gap between theory and practice through a concept called “Technobag”. The concept is developed by NITO - the Norwegian Society of Engineers and Technologists. The “Technobag” consists of material that supports the new mandatory discipline “Technology and Design” in Norwegian schools.

“Although Rocksource is an oil company that sees the need for the development of hydrocarbon-related technology for many years to come, we also accept that oil and gas represent non-renewable energy. As such, we believe that we have to start today to focus on alternatives. Some years from now, this will be reality and it is the youth of today that will need to provide answers for tomorrow. This is why it is of such importance to provide the future generation with tools that stimulate curiosity to acquire the knowledge needed to solve the challenges,” says Hesthammer. Hesthammer is also a professor at the University of Bergen and is familiar with aspects of both education and innovation. In 2007, he received the EAGE’s Alfred Wegener Award in recognition of his achievements as an educator and researcher within the discipline of geoscience.

Stimulates inventors

An investigation undertaken by Opinion for NITO shows that, more than a year and a half after establishing the discipline “Technology and Design”, only half of the schools in Norway have implemented the discipline. The “Technobag” concept is meant to provide a starting help to schools and teachers in relation to the new discipline.

“We found NITO’s “Technobag” such a great concept that we immediately said yes to participate with sponsoring. “Technobag” stimulates the creation of new inventors and every inventor we can help push in the right direction can mean a lot for the future value-creation in Norway,” says Hesthammer. He is one of the founders of Rocksource, a company that has commercialised geology-related research at the University of Bergen. The company has today more than 50 employees and is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange with a value of around 200 million USD. “We want to participate by stimulating the focus on science in Norwegian schools. The current science-related knowledge level in Norwegian schools is quite a bit behind many other European countries and there is a need for somebody to take initiative. NITO’s initiative demonstrates clearly that what we need is action, not talk,” concludes Jonny Hesthammer.