Aalto University’s open-to all events will take you on a journey into research and art

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Aalto University’s open-to all events will take you on a journey into research and art

Published: 7.8.2025

The events are produced in collaboration between Aalto University and the City of Espoo and they will take you from the flood of information to deeper insights. Discover also other events and exhibitions in Marsio building.

Four people sitting on chairs with a large screen behind them showing Aalto University's Marsio event information. — Photo from the Aalto Ahaa event on April 8, 2025, which focused on creativity and building of the future. Photo: Ahti Brummer

The two new public event series in Finnish, launched in early 2025, will continue at Aalto campus in the autumn. The event series are aimed at both adults (Aalto Ahaa) and school children (Aalto University Junior Science Theatre), and their purpose is to present research and art conducted in different fields in an interesting way. The events are organised in the middle of the Campus in a new event and meeting space Marsio. You can join the event on campus at Marsio or watch recordings afterwards – Aalto Ahaa lectures can be followed also as live streams.

The goal is to make the university’s operation, science and arts, innovation and sustainable development solutions increasingly accessible to a wider group of people. In addition to these event series, the university and the City of Espoo will jointly organise the EMMA TALKS discussion series that is a series by the Espoo Museum of Modern Art in 2025 EMMA.

The event season kicks off on September 16 with the Aalto Ahaa lecture, which takes you on a journey into the possibilities of materials. Aimed at anyone with a curious mind, the lecture series, led by host Anniina Valtonen, presents the perspectives of three experts in an accessible manner, followed by a joint discussion. The next lectures, on October 14 and November 11, will take us on a journey into inventions and entrepreneurship.

Aalto University Junior Science Theatre is a series of events aimed at schoolchildren aged 9–12, which will explore miraculous materials on September 26 and curiosity and senses in the spirit of Halloween on October 31. The events are organized so that the morning is reserved for school classes, and in the afternoon, children can attend the open event with a familiar adult.

In connection with the events in September and October, it is also possible to visit Aalto University's largest exhibition of the year, which presents the latest solutions, experiments, and ideas that are changing the world. The Designs for a Cooler Planet exhibition is open from September 5 to October 28, 2025, during the opening hours of the Marsio building.

Check out Marsio's other events as well Marsio | Aalto University

Person with light brown curly hair in a red and black leopard-print top, holding a tablet against a blue background. — The host Anniina Valtonen. Photo: Ahti Brummer

Further information on the event series

Aalto Ahaa public lectures

The lectures are aimed at everyone with a curious mind and interested in science and art. The events offer inspiring insights into how Aalto University's research and work affect everyday life. The events are organized in collaboration with Espoo. You can follow the programme on site at the Marsio building on Saastamoinen Foundation Stage, via webcast, or as a recording.

There will be three Aalto Ahaa events in the autumn, on Tuesdays from 17.00 to 18.30. The themes are:

Tuesday, September 16 – Sufficiency of materials
Tuesday, October 14 – The significance of inventions
Tuesday, November 11 – Entrepreneurship

Aalto Ahaa public lecture 16.9. – A journey to the possibilities of materials

Aalto Ahaa public lecture 14.10. – Inventions in everyday life

Text 'Tutkimuksen matka arkeen' in white on blue background with white clouds, repeated in perspective.

Aalto Ahaa public lecture 11.11. – Entrepreneurship

Text 'MATKA YRITTÄJYYDEN YTIMEEN' wraps around a head, surrounded by sparkles on a yellow and orange background.

Person with orange hair sits on stage holding a sign with '15', near large letters 'A' and quotation marks. — The Host A! Oisram. Photo: Ahti Brummer

Aalto University Junior Science Theatre

The Science Theatre is for school children aged 9–12 who attend the event either as a school group (morning events) or with their parent, grandparent or other adult (afternoon events). The events will be recorded, and these recordings can be used for teaching at schools. The goal is to inspire children and young people, especially those who may not have exposure to university studies through their family or friends.

There will be two Science Theatre events in the autumn. Registration will open approximately one month in advance, and participation will be determined by lottery for school classes to ensure equal opportunity to participate in the event. The afternoon event is open to everyone, and places will be reserved in order of registration. The themes are:

Friday, September 26 – Miraculous Materials
Friday, October 31 – Curiosity and the Senses

Miraculous Materials 26.9. – Aalto University Junior Science Theatre

Geometric pattern in blue and orange with 'IHMEMATERIAALIT' in blue and yellow text on a light beige background.

Curiosity and Senses 31.10. – Aalto University Junior Science Theatre

Colourful magnifying glass with geometric shapes inside, next to Finnish text 'UTELIAISUUS JA AISTIT'.

Aalto University x EMMA Talks October 2, 2025, 15.30–16:30

A panel discussion held at Aalto University's Marsio building will explore the economic and ecological future of fashion. Fashion designers Lauri Greis and Rolf Ekroth, as well as Professor of Textile Design Maarit Salolainen, will participate in the discussion. The event will be moderated by Reetta Kalajo, curator at EMMA and co-curator of the Fashion Change exhibition.