Finnish Delegation Visits Stone Valley Middle School

DANVILLE, CA — Stone Valley Middle School hosted a delegation from Itä-Suomen Koulu, a school in eastern Finland, as part of an ongoing international collaboration on climate action and sustainability. The visit, which took place Feb. 22-26, was a direct outcome of SVMS science teacher Teresa Butler-Doran’s participation in the 2023-24 Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Research Program in Finland.

Guests included the school’s principal, a teacher, and three students. The visit was made possible by a travel grant from the Finnish Ministry of Education, and Itä-Suomen Koulu was the only school awarded travel to the United States. Finland is often cited as having the best education system in the world, and Butler-Doran’s Fulbright included traveling around the country to see how different schools teach climate science.

During their stay, the Finnish students shadowed SVMS eighth graders, while the teachers observed lessons and discussed school life in their respective countries. The visit included a variety of activities designed to deepen cross-cultural understanding and promote discussions on environmental sustainability. Students participated in an “artivism” activity designed to inspire action to reduce waste and promote sustainability, which was shared in both the U.S. and Finland.

Since August, Butler-Doran’s sixth grade students have been communicating with students in Finland. The two groups are participating in cross-cultural lessons posing questions that students answer through video or written responses.

To learn more about the program and Butler-Doran’s experiences in Finland, see her website, and her Facebook, and Instagram pages.