---
title: "Nosta"
description: "Nosta (Plan International, 2020/21): An algorithm groups migrant students every two weeks to learn Finnish through games"
url: "https://www.sugar-network.org/en/projects/nosta-2020-21/"
lang: "en"
---

# Nosta

**An algorithm groups migrant students every two weeks to learn Finnish through games**

_Online Collaborative Learning Platform_

- **Corporate partner:** [Plan International](https://www.sugar-network.org/en/network/partners/plan-international/) (https://plan-international.org/approach/innovation)
- **Cohort:** [2020/21](https://www.sugar-network.org/en/projects/cohort/2020-21/)
- **Theme:** [Education & society](https://www.sugar-network.org/en/projects/themes/education-society/)
- **Type:** Platform
- **Key fact:** 25 % lower test scores for migrant students
- **Universities:** [Trinity College Dublin](https://www.sugar-network.org/en/network/universities/tcd/), [Aalto University · Design Factory](https://www.sugar-network.org/en/network/universities/aalto/)
- **Team:** 7 master students
- **Disciplines:** Engineering, Management, Design Business Management, Mechanical Engineering

## Challenge

Plan International asked how to bridge the educational challenges of migrant students in Finland. They score 25 % lower than native peers, and remote learning during COVID-19 widened a digital divide.

## What the team learned

Language is a main barrier. Many migrant students lack devices other than phones and are unfamiliar with typical learning software.

## What they built

Nosta is an online platform that schools open to migrant students. A matching algorithm groups them every two weeks by interests and Finnish level. Each cycle runs four sessions: ice-breakers, a collaborative language game, a final presentation, then feedback and badges.

## Impact

Plan International gains a tool for its ongoing work to integrate migrant students into Finnish society.

## Full project text

A learning platform aimed at migrant students in Finland wishing to improve their Finnish language skills.

### Challenge

“How might we bridge the educational challenges faced by migrant students in Finland?”

While Finland is renowned for its educational system, the country’s migrant students consistently score 25% less than their native peers in standardised tests.

One of the main reasons behind this disparity is the language barrier, however, with the COVID-19 pandemic and the move to remote online learning, a digital divide has emerged between native and migrant students with a lack of access (other than phones) and familiarity with typical learning platforms/software coming to the fore.

### Solution

The resulting solution, Nosta, is an online collaborative learning platform connecting migrant students and providing a unique learning experience through  
online games. Nosta welcomes students of all skill levels who wish to elevate their language skills and create connections with their peers, to benefit their education.

Students,via their schools, are granted access to the platform, where a unique algorithm creates dynamic groups of learners with the appropriate characteristics to facilitate optimum group-based peer learning, assisted by facilitators/teachers.

Drawing further on the latest pedagogical techniques, learning is facilitated through game-based play activities to ensure that fun, friendship and social integration are created in tandem with language learning.

### Impact

As a result of the online collaboration that occurs while playing various language learning games, students expand their vocabulary and gain confidence in speaking Finnish. The benefit of which is reflected in their improved academic performance at school and will continue to reflect positively for years to come as fluency in Finnish is key to finding a job in Finland. As part of the ongoing efforts by Plan International to integrate migrant students to the Finnish community, the use of Nosta will provide them with valuable tools designed specifically to achieve that purpose.

## Who built it.

- Hesham Shaarawy, Mechanical Engineering (Trinity College Dublin)
- Agathe Jaillard, Mechanical Engineering (Trinity College Dublin)
- Hannah Mc Mullin, Engineering with Management (Trinity College Dublin)
- Samyukta Santhakumar, International Design Business Management (Aalto University · Design Factory)
- Yen Pham, International Design Business Management (Aalto University · Design Factory)
- Johannes Nikola, International Design Business Management (Aalto University · Design Factory)
- Anne Rinne, International Design Business Management (Aalto University · Design Factory)

## Video

- Nosta Learning Platform - Team Plan International: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn3a4Aax6jI

## Sources

Summarised by the SUGAR editorial team from the team’s project page and SUGAR Expo booklet.

Open the 2020/21 booklet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cegdS8kVyRA2k5TB3BwgCZHCIjM0oyZp/view?usp=sharing