Guide
Where can kids do science at a Finnish university?
Updated August 2026
Finland's universities run science education for children and youth: LUMA centres and "children's universities" that hold science clubs, camps, workshops and lectures. It is often free or low-cost, and it is available in at least Espoo (Aalto University Junior), Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, Oulu, Jyväskylä, Lahti, Kuopio and Seinäjoki. These programmes are rarely gathered in one place — here they are, city by city.
What university science education offers
Programmes include weekly science clubs, holiday science camps, workshops, science birthdays and free public lectures. Topics range from physics and chemistry to robotics, mathematics and astronomy. Some activities are open leisure-time hobbies for school-age children; others are run in cooperation with schools.
The national LUMA network
Much of this sits within the national LUMA network, coordinated by LUMA Centre Finland. Regional LUMA centres operate alongside several universities across the country, which is why science hobbies exist well beyond the capital region.
University science programmes by city
- Aalto-yliopisto JuniorEspoo · ages 7–19
- Helsingin yliopiston TiedekasvatuskeskusHelsinki · ages 7–19
- LUMA Centre FinlandHelsinki · ages 3–19
- Juniversity (Tampereen yliopisto)Tampere · ages 5–19
- Tampereen LUMATE-keskusTampere · ages 7–15
- Lasten yliopisto (Turun yliopisto)Turku · ages 7–15
- Lounais-Suomen LUMA-keskusTurku · ages 4–18
- LUT Junior UniversityLahti · ages 6–18
- Päijät-Hämeen LUMA-keskus / Tiedeluokka SOLULahti · ages 7–15
- OuLUMA – Oulun yliopiston LUMA-keskusOulu · ages 5–19
- JYUniorit (Jyvaskylan kesayliopisto)Jyväskylä · ages 5–18
- Lasten ja nuorten yliopisto (SnellmanEDU)Kuopio · ages 6–15
- Lasten ja nuorten yliopisto LNYO (Keski-Pohjanmaan kesäyliopisto)Seinäjoki · ages 7–15
- Åbo AkademiHelsinki · ages 7–12
Browse by city too: /laji/science
Frequently asked questions
Are university science clubs free?
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Many are free or very low-cost because they are part of universities' science education and the LUMA network. Camps may charge a fee. Exact prices are on each provider's page.
What ages are they for?
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Most programmes target roughly ages 3–18 in age-appropriate groups; some focus on primary-age children, others on lower-secondary and upper-secondary students.
Which cities have programmes?
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At least Espoo, Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, Oulu, Jyväskylä, Lahti, Kuopio and Seinäjoki. See the list below.