Our students regularly take part in national and international competitions in mathematics, computing and science. A few notes on the Finnish competitions: the MAOL competitions are the national upper secondary competitions in mathematics, physics and chemistry run by MAOL, the Finnish association of mathematics and science teachers. Datatähti is the national programming competition and the first stage of selecting Finland’s olympiad team in informatics. Kipinä (until 2024 TuKoKe) is the national science competition for young people, which sends winners on to EUCYS and ISEF.
Mathematics
2026
International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
Ohto Katila (honourable mention), Kaius Hansen
Members of the Finnish team
Nordic Mathematical Contest
Ohto Katila
Represented Finland
MAOL national upper secondary mathematics competition
Kaius Hansen; Ohto Katila; Kai Karttunen, Jaakko Ilveskoski, Aaro Sonninen
4th place; joint 5th place; placed 11th–25th
2025
International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
Ohto Katila (bronze)
Member of the Finnish team
Baltic Way team competition
Kaius Hansen, Ohto Katila
Members of the Finnish team
Nordic Mathematical Contest
Ohto Katila, Kaius Hansen
Represented Finland
MAOL national upper secondary mathematics competition
Ohto Katila; Kaius Hansen; Hermanni Sallinen; Kai Karttunen
Joint 3rd place; joint 7th place; joint 11th place; finalist
2024
Baltic Way team competition
Ohto Katila
Member of the Finnish team
Nordic Mathematical Contest
Ohto Katila
Represented Finland
2023
MAOL national upper secondary mathematics competition
Aidan Walker
Finalist
2022
MAOL national upper secondary mathematics competition
Meeri Kuoppala
Finalist
2021
MAOL national upper secondary mathematics competition
Valtteri Aurela, Ulrika Kaara
Finalists; best placing 5th
Purple Comet! Math Meet
Three School of Mathematics teams took part
2020
European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO)
Ulrika Kaara
Represented Finland
2019
MAOL national upper secondary mathematics competition
Olli Järviniemi (winner!), Nerissa Shakespeare, Jaakko Takala
Finalists, all in the top ten
International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
Olli Järviniemi (silver), Nerissa Shakespeare
Members of the Finnish team
2018
MAOL national upper secondary mathematics competition
Olli Järviniemi (winner!), Pinja Pessi
Finalists
Nordic Mathematical Contest
Olli Järviniemi, Nerissa Shakespeare, Jaakko Takala
Represented Finland
International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
Olli Järviniemi (bronze), Nerissa Shakespeare
Members of the Finnish team
2017
MAOL national upper secondary mathematics competition
Antti Röyskö (winner!), Joose Lehtinen, Pinja Pessi
Finalists
International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
Olli Järviniemi, Joose Lehtinen, Antti Röyskö
Members of the Finnish team
Nordic Mathematical Contest
Antti Röyskö, Joose Lehtinen, Pinja Pessi
Represented Finland
2016
International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
Iiro Kumpulainen, Joose Lehtinen, Antti Röyskö
Members of the Finnish team
Nordic Mathematical Contest
Iiro Kumpulainen, Joose Lehtinen, Henrik Moilanen, Antti Röyskö
Represented Finland
MAOL national upper secondary mathematics competition
Iiro Kumpulainen, Joose Lehtinen, Henrik Moilanen, Antti Röyskö
Finalists
2015
Nordic Mathematical Contest
Jin Qianyue, Iiro Kumpulainen, Petteri Huuskonen
Represented Finland
MAOL national upper secondary mathematics competition
Jin Qianyue
Joint 7th place in the final
2014
International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
Mirjam Kauppila
Represented Finland
European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO)
Mirjam Kauppila
Bronze medal
2013
International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
Eero Räty, Neea Palojärvi, Mirjam Kauppila
Members of the Finnish team
Nordic Mathematical Contest
Eero Räty, Neea Palojärvi, Mirjam Kauppila
Represented Finland; best placing 5th
European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO)
Neea Palojärvi
Represented Finland
Computing
2026
Baltic Olympiad in Informatics (BOI)
Weiyin Ma
Member of the Finnish team
Datatähti
Weiyin Ma; Jalmari Rantakari; Aaro Sonninen; Ohto Katila; Tommy Kroon; Lyydia Lehtinen
Places 5, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 13
Nordic Olympiad in Informatics (NOI)
Weiyin Ma; Ohto Katila
Joint 11th place; 39th place
2025
European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics (EGOI)
Lyydia Lehtinen
Member of the Finnish team
Datatähti
Weiyin Ma; Ohto Katila
6th place; finalist
2024
European Girls’ Olympiad in Informatics (EGOI)
Lyydia Lehtinen
Member of the Finnish team
2022
Datatähti
Oskar Vihriälä
8th place in the final
2021
Datatähti
Valtteri Aurela
3rd place
2020
Datatähti
Juho Röyskö
4th place
Majava (Finnish Bebras challenge)
Ulrika Kaara, Juho Röyskö, Rauli Becker, Oskar Vihriälä, Veikko Virrankoski, Joakim Väljä and Otto Silvennoinen
The top seven places
2019
Datatähti
Olli Järviniemi
3rd place in the final
Baltic Olympiad in Informatics (BOI)
Olli Järviniemi (silver)
2018
Datatähti
Olli Järviniemi, Pinja Pessi
Finalists
2017
Datatähti
Antti Röyskö, Joose Lehtinen, Pinja Pessi
Finalists
Baltic Olympiad in Informatics (BOI)
Antti Röyskö (bronze)
2016
Datatähti
Iiro Kumpulainen
Finalist
Majava (Finnish Bebras challenge)
Petteri Huuskonen, Iiro Kumpulainen, Joose Lehtinen, Henrik Moilanen
Joint 1st place, full marks
2015
Baltic Olympiad in Informatics (BOI)
Petteri Timonen
Finalist, 23rd place
Datatähti
Petteri Timonen, Hannes Karppila, Petteri Huuskonen, Jin Qianyue, Iiro Kumpulainen
Finalists
2014
International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI)
Petteri Timonen
Member of the Finnish team
Baltic Olympiad in Informatics (BOI)
Petteri Timonen
Silver medal
Datatähti
Nicklas Ahlskog, Jaakko Hannikainen, Petteri Timonen
Top ten in the final
2013
Majava (Finnish Bebras challenge)
Ville Nupponen, Saku Pöyri, Jin Qianyue, Katja Kujala
In the top ten
2012
Majava (Finnish Bebras challenge)
Jaakko Hannikainen, Janne Hannikainen, Sanna Ikäheimonen, Tuomas Lampinen, Kalle Ouwehand, Allan Palmu, Saku Pöyri, Heikki Ruhanen, Cliona Shakespeare, Samuli Thomasson
Joint 1st place, full marks
Research projects
2026
Computational modelling of upstream-migrating salmon in the Tornio River (Tornionjoen nousulohien laskennallinen mallintaminen)
Tommy Kroon
Kipinä: first prize; EUCYS 2026, Kiel: KMS Ocean Futures Award
The effect of terrorist attacks in Finland since 2000 on the Helsinki Stock Exchange (Suomessa vuoden 2000 jälkeen tapahtuneiden terrori-iskujen vaikutus Helsingin pörssiin)
Matti Herrala
Kipinä: commendation
2025
Killing bacteria with an electric fly swatter (Bakteerien tappaminen sähkökärpäslätkällä)
Hermanni Sallinen, Niilo Sipilä
Kipinä: first prize; EUCYS 2025, Riga: represented Finland
The mathematical requirements of physics (Fysiikan matemaattiset vaatimukset)
Alexander Gan Vormala
Kipinä: commendation
TuKoKe (Tutki–Kokeile–Kehitä) was held for the last time in spring 2024, after 44 years. Since 2025 it has been replaced by TEK’s Kipinä competition, which also selects Finland’s EUCYS representatives.
2024
Options for developing rail connections in Satakunta (Satakunnan rautatieyhteyksien kehittämisvaihtoehtoja)
Usva Kangas
TuKoKe: second prize, series III
Feasibility study of a mobile nuclear power plant ship for Finland’s neighbouring waters (Kannattavuusselvitys Suomen lähialueilla liikkuvasta ydinvoimalalaivasta)
Elsa Tuominen
TuKoKe: commendation; STEK Electricity Competition: first prize
An Android app for keeping your back and neck healthy (Selän ja niskan terveyttä ylläpitävä Android-sovellus)
Niilo Arala
TuKoKe: commendation + TEK special award for the most practical idea or project
Fundamentals of the sound system of Uisg Eírthe (Uisg Eírthen äännerakenteen perusteet)
Ilmari Leino
TuKoKe: commendation
An interactive tutorial for Blender (Interaktiivinen tutoriaali Blenderiin)
Aarre Salo
Foundation for Finnish Inventions: Gold – advanced invention concept
Piilossa (“In hiding”) – developing a game and simulating its gameplay (Piilossa – pelin kehitys ja pelin kulun simulointi)
Iivari van Uden
Foundation for Finnish Inventions: Gold – advanced invention concept
2022
Is the charging infrastructure for electric cars sufficient? (Sähköautojen latausinfrastruktuurin riittävyys)
Justus Hansen, Joonatan Korpela
International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF): finalist
TuKoKe: commendation + most practical idea or project
STEK Electricity Competition: winner
AI for recognising landscape types (Maisema-alueen tunnistustekoäly)
Jymy Korhonen, Santeri Halme
TuKoKe: commendation + best oral presentation or presentation video
2021
Simulating a die with another die (Nopan simulointi toisella nopalla)
Valtteri Aurela
European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS): BISITE award
TuKoKe: winner
2019
Common prime factors of polynomials (Polynomien yhteiset alkutekijät)
Olli Järviniemi
European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS): finalist, second prize
TuKoKe: winner
A mobile keyboard for two fingers (Mobiilinäppäimistö kahdelle sormelle)
Jaakko Takala, Vihtori Sova
International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF): finalist
TuKoKe: commendation
Generating Energy Using Lifting Bags
Ella Puustelli, Marina Rogulina, Tia Iskanius
TuKoKe: commendation
STEK Electricity Competition: finalist
How do skateboarders’ attitudes differ from ice hockey players’? (Miten skeittaajien asenteet eroavat jääkiekkoilijoiden asenteista?)
Lauri Viljanen
TuKoKe: commendation + best poster
2018
A webcam app that monitors posture (Ryhtiä tarkkaileva web-kamerasovellus)
Josefiina Kuisma, Pinja Pessi
TuKoKe: commendation
Effects of the tramway on studying across several campuses in Tampere (Raitiotien vaikutukset usean kampuksen opiskeluun Tampereella)
Veikko Laitamäki, Tomi Lukkarinen
TuKoKe: commendation
Hutunkeitto as a finite two-player game (Hutunkeitto kahden pelaajan äärellisenä pelinä)
Olli Järviniemi
International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF): finalist
TuKoKe: commendation
2017
Encryption in everyday life (Salaus päivittäisessä elämässä)
Joel Jäkkö, Max Mecklin
International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF): finalist
TuKoKe: finalist
User interface for a bughouse chess program (Tandemshakkiohjelman käyttöliittymä)
Kasper Kivimäki
TuKoKe: finalist
2016
An optimisation tool for blood collection at the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service (Veripalvelun verenkeräyksen optimointityökalu)
Petteri Timonen
International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF): second prize
Digitising chess games (Shakkipelin digitalisoiminen)
Iiro Kumpulainen, Eero Valkama
European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS): finalist
TuKoKe: winner
An educational game on urban ecology (Urbaaniekologian opetuspeli)
Kaisla Kääriäinen, Maisa Virtanen
International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF): finalist
TuKoKe: commendation
2015
An optimisation tool for blood collection at the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service (Veripalvelun verenkeräyksen optimointityökalu)
Petteri Timonen
TuKoKe: winner
European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS): finalist
On the brink of starvation (Nälkäkuoleman partaalla)
Jan-Kristian Herring, Jin Qianyue
TuKoKe: finalist
A simulation model of a hunting bat (Simulaatiomalli saalistavasta lepakosta)
Sauli Kokkonen, Katja Kujala
TuKoKe: finalist
2014
An energy model (Energiamalli)
Riku Vilppula, Matias Ijäs, Nicklas Ahlskog
TuKoKe: 3rd place
A game engine for a simulator (Simulaattorin pelimoottori)
Juhani Imberg, Pihla Toivonen
TuKoKe: finalist
Humanitarian Assistance and Global Warming simulation project
A team of Päivölä students
What If? Workshop: published as part of an international science workshop
2013
Evaluating the effectiveness of anorexia nervosa treatment with Markov chains (Anorexia nervosan hoidon vaikuttavuuden arviointi Markovin ketjuilla)
Kerttu Uusimäki
International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF): finalist
TuKoKe: 3rd place
Academy of Finland Viksu competition: prize-winner
Colouring maps – finding colourings for the four colour problem using graphs (Karttojen värittäminen – Neliväriongelman värityskombinaatioiden etsiminen graafien avulla)
Eero Räty, Samuli Thomasson
European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS): finalist
TuKoKe: winner
Studying strategy games in virtual laboratories (Strategiapelien tutkimista virtuaalilaboratorioissa)
Yuanqi Shan, Tomi Pelttari
International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF): finalist
TuKoKe: commendation
How suitable are homes for wheelchair users? (Asuntojen soveltuminen pyörätuolilla liikkumiseen)
Neea Palojärvi
Academy of Finland Viksu competition: prize-winner
Modelling and other competitions
Note that the sister competitions Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MCM) and Interdisciplinary Contest in Modeling (ICM), in which our students have done well for years, are actually international competitions for university students!
2026
Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MCM)
Viivi Pesiö, Tuomas Manninen, Lukas Mikulenas
Successful Participant
Sander Sibul, Jimi Hautaluoma, Weiyin Ma
Successful Participant
Interdisciplinary Contest in Modeling (ICM)
Ohto Katila, Kai Karttunen, Matias Sortti
Successful Participant
2025
Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MCM)
Lyydia Lehtinen, Tommy Kroon, Ohto Katila
Successful Participant
Interdisciplinary Contest in Modeling (ICM)
Aaro Sonninen, Jaakko Jokinen, Lassi Mäntylä
Successful Participant
2023
Interdisciplinary Contest in Modeling (ICM)
Iivari van Uden, Emilia Tuominen, Aidan Walker
Successful Participant
2021
MAOL national upper secondary physics competition
Juho Röyskö
Finalist
Finnish Linguistics Olympiad
Veikko Virrankoski, Miska Luoma-Aho, Meeri Kuoppala
Finalists; full marks for Veikko Virrankoski
Statistics Olympiad
School of Mathematics team
3rd place in the national final
“Valon mahdollisuudet” (Possibilities of Light) competition
Three School of Mathematics teams took part
Two teams in joint second place
2019
Finnish Linguistics Olympiad
Nerissa Shakespeare (2nd place) and Tia Iskanius (3rd place)
Interdisciplinary Contest in Modeling (ICM)
Team: Nerissa Shakespeare, Olli Järviniemi, Valo Hallman
Honorable Mention (top 25% of entrants)
Finnish School Team Chess Championships
Päivölä School of Mathematics team
Gold medal
2018
Finnish School Team Chess Championships
Päivölä School of Mathematics team
Gold medal
2017
Finnish School Team Chess Championships
Päivölä School of Mathematics team
Gold medal
2016
Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MCM)
Team: Antti Röyskö, Elias Benkhodja, Joose Lehtinen
Honorable Mention (top 25% of entrants)
MAOL national upper secondary chemistry competition
Eero Valkama
Finalist
Finnish Linguistics Olympiad
Iiro Kumpulainen (winner) and six other School of Mathematics students
The seven highest scores
Finnish School Team Chess Championships
Päivölä School of Mathematics team
Gold medal
2015
Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MCM)
School of Mathematics team
Meritorious Winner (top 9% of entrants); two other teams Honorable Mention
Finnish Linguistics Olympiad
Iiro Kumpulainen
Winner
Finnish School Team Chess Championships
Päivölä School of Mathematics teams
Gold and bronze medals
2014
Finnish School Team Chess Championships
Päivölä/Valkeakoski team
Silver medal
2013
Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MCM)
School of Mathematics team
Successful Participant
Want to join them? Apply now!
Highlights from earlier years
2012, European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad: Neea Palojärvi, honourable mention
2012, International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO): Eero Räty, represented Finland
2012, Academy of Finland Viksu competition: Ossi Hirvola & Henri Kumpulainen – “Generating game music algorithmically”, and Meri Vainio – “The symbolic calculator in the traditional advanced mathematics matriculation exam”, prize-winners
2012, TuKoKe: Kiira Saarela – “Owls hunting voles and motorway noise”, winner. Merikki Lappi also received a supervisor’s award.
2011, Datatähti: Samuli Löf, 2nd place. Nine of the top 15 were from Päivölä!
2011, MCM: Päivölä team, Meritorious Winner (top 15%)
2010, MAOL national upper secondary mathematics competition: Kai Lindholm, winner
2010, Nordic Mathematical Contest: Aleksi Korpinen, winner
2010, Baltic Way team competition: Finnish team including Aleksi Korpinen and Kai Lindholm from Päivölä, third place
2009, Olympiad in Informatics: Jussi Kokkala and Santtu Keskinen, in the Finnish team; bronze medal for Jussi
2009, Datatähti: Jussi Kokkala, Santtu Keskinen, Konsta Lensu, Joni Virtanen, places 1–4
2009, Academy of Finland Viksu competition: Jere Kuusela, Karl Ots, Joni Virtanen – “Locating a sound source on a flat surface with a passive sensor”, 1st place
2008, MAOL national upper secondary mathematics competition: Sylvester Eriksson-Bique, winner
2008, International mathematics competition: Sylvester Eriksson-Bique, winner
2008, Science Olympiad mathematics competition: Sylvester Eriksson-Bique, 3rd place
2008, MCM: team Jussi Kokkala, Konsta Lensu, Joni Virtanen, Meritorious Winner, and team Sylvester Eriksson-Bique, Aleksi Hartikainen, Mika Laitinen, Honorable Mention
2007, Pythagoraan polku team mathematics competition: team Sylvester Eriksson-Bique, Joel Kaasinen, Atle Kivela, Toni Lamberg, second place
2007, Academy of Finland Viksu competition: Eric Malmi, winner, theme “Today 2015”, and Joel Kaasinen, third place
2006, MAOL national upper secondary mathematics competition: Janne Kokkala, winner
2006, MCM: team Matti Nelimarkka, Olli Salli and Olli Saarikivi, Meritorious Winner
2006, Academy of Finland Viksu competition: Matti Nelimarkka, third place, and Juho Roponen, best physics project
2006, TuKoKe: Juho Roponen, winner, and Timo Viitanen, second place
2005, MCM: team Vihtori Mäntylä, Olli-Petteri Pitkänen and Olli Saarikivi, Meritorious Winner
2003, MAOL national upper secondary mathematics competition: Kaisa Matomäki, winner
2003, International Physics Olympiad: Juha Arpiainen, honourable mention
2003, Academy of Finland Viksu competition: Kaisa Matomäki – “Solving a quadratic equation with complex coefficients with compass and straightedge”, winner. Merikki and Esa Lappi were also recognised for excellent supervision.