Learning experiences within authentic demonstrations research project demonstrations at Viksu 2014 Camp

Externally funded research, development and innovation (RDI) projects can be seen as a learning environment creating new skills and competencies for students, teachers, researchers, companies and public organizations. Laurea University of Applied Sciences´ RDI project model develops academic knowledge and competencies by solving real problems in real-life situations. This paper describes how this learning process is realized and integrated into a RDI project in an environment, where students from various degree programmes were creating demonstrations for evaluating the project outcomes. These demonstrations were planned within the Multi-Agency Cooperation in Cross-Border Operations (MACICO) project and were held during Viksu 2014 International Camp for Young Firefighters. The demonstrations will result in five theses. Narrative interviews of the students gave knowledge on how learning has happened in such environment, what kind of competences the students have gained and what should be taken into account when creating similar learning environments. Especially the good experiences from co-operation between the students encourages to combine students from different orientations into multidisciplinary teams.