Kalasatama Peruskoulu

The Kalasatama Block Is Part of an Energy Efficiency Project. Helsinki, 19 Aug. 2016.

Using the Metro, Kalasatama is only four minutes from Herttoniemi. I noticed the area is under heavy construction. Amid the working zone is Kalasatama Elementary. Decorated with bright colors, the school definitely stands out. Knowing that it is a relatively new building, I was excited to see what the building contains.

I was greeted by the principal, who gave me a tour of the classrooms. I had never seen such a modern, energy efficient school before. The children are surrounded by advanced technology that will promote their learning. Each classroom had glass walls so that children can see what their peers are learning. The classrooms, in each wing, circled an open space, which has comfy movable furniture. Every aspect of the school facilitates a collaborative environment, where children work with and learn from one another.

While walking through the halls, I saw that even the utility rooms had low windows for children to embrace their curiosity and learn about how the school functions. "Learning by doing" is a large part of Kalasatama. Educators believe that children should have the autonomy to explore their area. Providing children with the tools to make their own discoveries in an interpersonal environment will prepare them for an innovative future. Kalasatama, through its future plans of expansion, changeable structure, and dedication to learning, aims to grant children with the ability to pivot and adapt.

The organization of Kalasatama reminds me of Google's headquarters, where everything in the building is specifically designed to create a relaxing atmosphere. Rather than a traditional setting where the adult is the authority of learning, it is an unique space that embraces equality and having a calm, open mind for learning.

Kalasatama has teaching professionals who know how to reach each and every child. Instead of telling a kinesthetic learner to sit still, the teachers encourages him or her to move by letting them sit on chairs designed for a person who learns best through physical activity. Teachers do not suppress individuality; they praise it.

The school also includes an programs for children with specific language impairment. According to the principal, many of the children in these programs were born and raised outside of Finland. I met two of the children as they were skipping down the halls. Their first language was not Finnish, and they needed help reaching their grade-level proficiency in both Finnish and English. However, they were confident children who were not hesitant to say hello to me. I said hello to them in English, but said, "Nice to meet you!" in Finnish. They understood and repeated the phrase back to me. It was nice to see how kind and welcoming these children were towards a stranger.

From visiting three schools, they each had the same values and dedication to teaching children. Their curriculum was the same, but how they teach is different. Kalasatama used a "learning by doing" approach. Kaisaniemi advocated for an artistic method where children are free to express and reinvent themselves. Haagan encourages "quality over quantity" instruction. Although from different areas of Helsinki, each school had highly qualified and respected teaching professionals and the same objectives. Children are the highest priority of teaching. The students' best interests are what matters to schools, not making a profit or improving scores. Equality is evident within the schools, but I did notice a lack of equity in regards to the resources allocated to each school. Kalasatama and Kaisaniemi had more advanced resources, while Haagan operates using its existing resources. The curriculum may be equal, but the opportunity to teach lessons with modern tools is not exactly equal. In addition, schools like Haagan may need more funds and tools to help children in that area achieve the same exact quality as the schools in higher socioeconomic communities.

I was pleased with Kalasatama. It is definitely a school of the future. Its advanced in its instruction, its tools and technology, and its values.