A record high 1 000 pupils from upper secondary schools in Rogaland participated in the popular innovation camp this year.
In the Vår Energi Challenge pupils are asked to address one or several of the UN’s sustainability goals, and solve a problem by creating a concept, a service or a product.
This year over 1 000 students signed up for the challenge – a strong sign of commitment, according to Vår Energi Attraction, Recruitment & Onboarding Lead and jury member, Elise Middelthon:
The number of participants has increased steadily ever since the start in 2019, and to reach 1 000 participants is a great milestone. It tells us two things; that we have developed a concept and format that really works – but most importantly; that the young generation is committed and engaged when it comes to problem solving. Throughout the innovation camp we see a strong sense of urgency and ownership when it comes to finding and developing sustainable solutions for tomorrow.
Tough competition
In January, the students were given the challenge by Vår Energi, and the schools worked separately on the assignments until submission at the beginning of February, with support from Junior Achievement (JA).
45 entries were submitted to the Vår Energi jury, which selected the 10 finalist groups that made it to the super finals at the Vår Energi office at Forus.
During the super finals, each finalist group presents their case in a 3-minute pitch to the Vår Energi jury and the other groups. In a separate session they present their case in interviews with jury members visiting their stand.
Ragnhild Jekteberg, Helene Dalen, and Toril Halsne from Lundeneset vgs are happy they joined the challenge:
It has been a break from the regular school day, where we can be creative and use our knowledge in new ways. Here, we are not set up to merely pass a test, but to develop something together, work in groups across disciplines, and create something new. It has been a refreshing process, and we urge others to take part. It is rewarding to create and achieve something together as a group.
Important collaboration
Vår Energi Challenge is a collaborative project between Vår Energi and Junior Achievement (JA), where the ambition is to create engagement among young people for technology, innovation, sustainability and problem solving.
Maria Aasbø, Head of JA Rogaland, points at the importance of promoting entrepreneurship for those who are still quite young:
Learning by solving real-life problems, which creates value for someone outside the school system, has a substantial impact on students’ motivation. Motivated students learn more, and this collaboration gives them experience in problem-solving and creativity. At the same time, it is a good exercise in cooperation, taking responsibility and taking initiative to find good solutions.
The 2025 podium:
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Third place: “Growear” from Dalane vgs: Clothes made of biodegradable materials - with seeds! This way, the clothes can be buried and become plants and trees instead of being thrown away.
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Second place: “Meltic” from Strand vgs: Uses a fungus with an enzyme that breaks down plastic. With advanced genetic modification, the fungus can be developed and placed along riverbanks where there is a lot of plastic.
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First place: “Bambong” from Lundeneset vgs: Alternative tampon made of bamboo that is better for both women's health and the environment.
Contact
Jan Eirik Heigre Gjerdevik
Communication Advisor
jan.eirik.gjerdevik@varenergi.no
+47 913 25 511