READY, STEADY, GO! 

The first face-to-face planning meeting took place in Joensuu from October 1st to 9th, 2025.  After an extended period of remote collaboration and conceptual groundwork, it was truly refreshing to finally gather in the same physical space. The energy in the room was palpable—ideas flowed more freely, discussions became more dynamic, and the sense of shared purpose was stronger than ever. 

– This milestone marks the end of the initial planning phase. With the foundation now firmly in place, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and transition from planning to action. The real work begins here, and with the momentum built during these in-person sessions, we are well-positioned to move forward with clarity, commitment, and collaboration, says professor Hille Janhonen-Abruquah, leader of the project. 

– Getting the collaborators ‘on the same page’  was a priority to ensure the intended outcomes of the project are attained. It was lovely to meet the Finnish colleagues in person and online, and iron out and develop the initial ideas into a smooth collection of goals and aims, notes Professor Adri Du Toit, coordinator for the Southern collaborators.

– An inspiring beginning to a truly promising project. As someone passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration, I’m excited to see the eagerness to explore connections between mathematics and home economics on a deeper level. Saara Lehto, Specialist in Science Education, University of Vaasa. 

This marks the beginning of our journey – stay tuned for more stories, insights, and updates from our Real Life Math project!

Read more about our project: https://uefconnect.uef.fi/en/rlm/