Geoheritage, culture and sustainable communities in Finland, Iceland and Norway
Mentors
Agnes Heiða Þorsteinsdóttir
Berglind Sigmundsdóttir
Bergliot Kulsrud Storruste
Camilla Hestmark
Eyjólfur Guðmundsson
Fanney Ásgeirsdóttir
Hjördís Skírnisdóttir
Iselin Thomassen Flore
Jóhannes M. Jóhannesson
Kai Myrvang
Kamilla Pedersen
Marjaana Laukkanen
Mikko Kiuttu
Riitta Olsbo
Sigrid Dybvik Langfors
Skrýmir Árnason
Trollfjell Geopark- Magne and Thea
Kamilla Pedersen
Hei alle sammen!
My Name is Kamilla and I’m the General Manager of Trollfjell Geopark and Trollfjell Outdoor Council. I’m 32 years old, from a small village in the north of Norway. I studied to become a teacher in Bodø, and have my specialization in natural science, physical education and outdoor recreation.
In my job I’m specially passionate about sustainable outdoor activities, and water competencies. I hope to inspire, reflect and learn about our common challenges and opportunities related to the SDG’s, together with the students. When I’m not working I love spending time outside, either hiking and exploring the nature or gardening and harvesting with my toddlers.
Camilla Hestmark
Hei!
My name is Camilla, and I am one of the teachers that are participating on this project. I teach science, mathematics, and chemistry. I am also fond of learning more about our environment and geology.
I am 40 years old and come from the beautiful island Vega. Now I live and work in Brønnøysund. I like to be active in my free time, both indoor and outdoor. My favorite hobbies are horses and horseback riding, hiking, and kayaking.
I am really looking forward to joining the Nordplus-project this year and to meet with students from Iceland and Finland 🙂
Agnes Heiða Þorsteinsdóttir
My name is Agnes Heiða Þorsteinsdóttir and I am 35 years old. I teach Icelandic in FAS and I also have supervision of e-students in the school. I have lived in Höfn and taught at FAS since 2012 but I was born and raised in Neskaupstaður in the Eastfjords.
I live about 5 kilometers outside of Höfn on a farm called Dilksnes. I live there with my fiancée, three children (ages 3-8) and our dog, Plútó. We also have a few sheep as a hobby.
I love to travel, both in Iceland and abroad. I have visited many countries but I have never been to Norway so I am very excited for this visit. I also love the outdoors and sports – especially swimming – and reading good books. I am e.g. a big fan of criminal Nordic books.
Bergliot Kulsrud Storruste
Hi!
I am Bergliot, the geologist and project manager in Trollfjell UNESCO Global Geopark, and I am eager to become a part of this project.
I am 30 years old and originally from Oslo. I moved north because I got an opportunity to work in a marble mine close to Brønnøysund. Since December 2021 I have been working in the Geopark, where I am able to teach geology and being outdoors, which is something I love. In my free time, when the weather is too bad to go hiking or relax outside, I spend time on music and food.
Both the Icelandic and Finnish culture fascinate me. I am looking forward to meeting all of you and to explore amazing rocks and landscapes in your countries. I am convinced that learning about natural history is very useful when we try to figure out how to take care of our planet.
Iselin Thomassen Flore
Hi! My name is Iselin (37) and I teach natural science and mathematics at Brønnøysund upper secondary school. I am from Brønnøysund, and I live here with my family, husband, two kids and our dog Billi.
In my free time I like to take walks in the nature, read books when the weather is bad or go to our cabin at Vega, that’s a small island not far from Brønnøysund.
I have been included in this project since the start, but not in the organization, just as the teacher responsible for the class since I am their contact teacher. I hope this project will enlighten the students more about climate change and our common responsibility for the choices we make. I have never been to Iceland and Finland and am looking forward to meeting both schools!
Fanney Ásgeirsdóttir
My name is Fanney Ásgeirsdóttir and I am the Park Manager of the Western region of Vatnajökull National Park. I am 49 years old and have been working as Park Manager for 3.5 years. Before that I worked as a principal in primary and secondary schools in several places in Iceland.
I love the outdoors and think it is a great privilege to be able to spend my working hours concentrating on protecting the nature and teach people to enjoy and respect it.
After a good days work, I love to relax with a good book in my hands.
Mikko Kiuttu
Hi,
My name is Mikko. I´m geoscientist and environmental educator of Rokua UNESCO Global Geopark. I´m also managing projects aiming to develop natural sciences´ education and nature tourism in the area. For example, at moment we are creating virtual models demonstrating ancient landscapes of the area, and new exhibitions describing the genesis of the Geopark´s landscape. I started in the Geopark as a university trainee in 2012. My education is actually a teacher of geography and biology.
One of the most important reasons for my career lies in my childhood. I´ve been for the first time in Norway in the age of two, and thereafter I´ve visited all around the country many many times. One of my family´s summer trips took place in Svartisen, Torghatten and other places close to Trollfjell Geopark. During the trips I got excited about mountains, northern nature, glaciers and so on, which later led to interest for geography, geodiversity and finally geoparks.. I´ve never been to Iceland but it has always been one of my dreams.
I live with my wife and our two sons in the edge of the city of Oulu. In free time we spend a lot of time outdoors, enjoying nature, as forest begins from our backyard.
Kai Myrvang
Hello.
My name is Kai Myrvang, and I am 62 years old. My teaching subjects at Brønnøysund upper secondary school are mathematics and physics. This year I have a mathematics class containing 22 of the pupils that participates in the Nordplus project. I look forward to follow the students during the project period.
I am born at Sør-Helgeland and I have lived her most of my life. I love the nature here and I like the people that live here very much. During several decades, I have seen that the climate has changed, with warmer weather and more rain, especially in the wintertime, and I do not like what I am seeing. Therefore, I hope that this project will contribute to a greater common understanding across the national borders, and that the new generation that now is growing up is more capable and willing to take care of our earth than my generation has been.
Sigrid Dybvik Langfors
My name is Sigrid Dybvik Langfors and I’m 39 years old. I am a counsellor and a teacher at Brønnøysund Upper Secondary School. I teach history and social science, and have been for the last 8 years.
I live with my husband and our two kids. They are 6 and 9 years old. We live in a house not far from the School.
Brønnøysund is close to the see, and we have a great nature just outside the house. We like to spend our spare time walking in the mountains or on our sailboat. Normally we use to travel abroad about once a year, but due to the Corona that is not possible at the time.
I have never been in Finland and only in Iceland once, so I am looking forward to learn more about the countries.
Skrýmir Árnason
My name is Skrýmir.
I am an arts and multimedia teacher at FAS. I have lived in Höfn for ten years, but I was born and raised in Reykjavík. I have been teaching collectively for sixteen years with pauses to both further educate myself and to attend to other projects. My main function in this project has been the practical and technological aspects of live streaming from the Icelandic highlands.
I have an intermediate degree in graphic design from the Technological School in Reykjavík, a classical singing degree from the Reykjavík Vocal Academy, and a master certificate from Berklee College of Music (Boston, U.S.A) in music production and technology.
Parallel to my work in FAS, I work as a composer, recording artist and sound engineer.
Jóhannes M. Jóhannesson
Hello everyone
My name is Jóhannes M. Jóhannesson, 37 years old, and I am a project manager at Katla UNESCO Global Geopark. I have degrees in Geology from the University of Iceland and the university of Tromsö (Norway) and a degree in History and archaeology from the University of Iceland and the University of Trier (Germany).
I live in the village Vík on the south coast of Iceland and my biggest interests are the outdoors, especially coastal areas and lava caves, basketball and Sci-fi literature and movies.
Eyjólfur Guðmundsson
My name is Eyjólfur Guðmundsson and I am the headmaster of FAS. I have lived in Hornafjörður and taught at FAS since 1989 and as headmaster from 1996. I was born and raised in Flateyri in the Westfjords.
I have a B.s. degree in geography, a master’s degree in public administration and I am completing a master’s degree in education with an emphasis on adult education. I have taught geography, social sciences and natural sciences.
Interested in environmental issues. I am married with four foster children and seven grandchildren.
Berglind Sigmundsdóttir
My name is Berglind Sigmundsdóttir and I am the Geopark Manager of Katla UNESCO Global Geopark in South Iceland. I am 35 years old and have an education in geology from the University of Iceland.
I have four very energetic dogs. I love the outdoors and usually spend a couple hours every day hiking, cycling, running or skiing with my dogs and exploring the vast and unique backcountry of Katla Geopark close to where I live. I also enjoy photography, art and music.
Hjördís Skírnisdóttir
My name is Hjördís (57) and I teach Geology, German and natural science at FAS. I am also taking care of foreign partnerships at the school. I live with my husband and our dog, Táta in the town Höfn. We have a daughter who lives in the capital Reykjavík.
I love to be outside and be in the nature and go often on hiking with our dog. We like to travel, both in Iceland and abroad. I have been twice to Finland. Our school worked with a school in Jämsä in Finland 2007 – 2008 and we also visited Helsinki. I have also been once to Oslo where I have relatives. Both countries are beautiful and I am looking forward visiting you again.
I am also looking forward working with you in this project!
Riitta Olsbo
Hi!
My name is Riitta Olsbo and I’m 56 years old. I teach Swedish and German at Vaala Upper Secondary School and English and Swedish at the comprehensive school. I also teach Swedish online in the evenings; some distance courses of Swedish grammar and composition writing. I have been a teacher for 33 years.
I live with my husband and our dog in a one-family house very near Lake Oulujärvi and the centre of Vaala. I have a daughter and a son, but they are already adults and live in the nearest city Oulu.
In the summer I like to work in our garden and especially in the greenhouse where I grow tomatoes and cucumbers. I enjoy taking my dog out to the forests around Vaala, picking mushrooms and berries, especially blueberries and raspberries. I also like reading detective stories and watching Swedish and Norwegian thriller series.
I usually travel a lot and one of my favourite places has always been Norway. I have visited Iceland three times, but seen only a few places there. I really look forward to cooperating with Icelandic and Norwegian people.
Marjaana Laukkanen
Hi,
My name is Marjaana Laukkanen. I am 42 years old and I work as a biology and geography teacher in Vaala Upper Secondary School. I have worked here for eight years. Earlier I was working in a chemistry laboratory. I can also teach chemistry and health education.
I am married and I have three kids; two sons (14 and 11 years) and a daughter (nine years). We live on a farm, 24 kilometers from Vaala. In the free time I spend time with my family. In the summertime I take care of our garden and my little greenhouse. In the wintertime I like to read a lot. I love travelling and I want to get to know new people from different countries. I look forward to visiting Iceland and Norway.
Trollfjell Geopark- Magne and Thea
Magne:
Hi!
My name is Magne Ekker. I am 48 years old, and work as general manager in Trollfjell Geopark. I have studied outdoor life and geography at the university in Telemark and Trondheim.
My interest is outdoor life (kayaking, hiking, sailing etc.), and I´m also very interested in sports (cross country, running).
Thea:
Hi!
My name is Thea Krossøy. I am 24 years old, geologist and works as project leader at Trollfjell Geopark. I studied at University of Bergen and my special field is karstgeology (caves) and quaternary (glacial) geology.
I love to teach people about geology, so I do often bring friends and family for a hike in the mountains or in the forest.
In my private life I like to do sport (soccer, ski etc.), watch a good movie, eat good food and in the weekends, I often sleep outside in my tent.