The 2026 edition of the Sohjo Hacks hackathon featured a PLURI-themed challenge. The task? To create a tool for the PLURI language station. The language station is a resource that enables pedagogical translanguaging in any classroom. This was an exciting opportunity to connect with rising stars of software development, and leverage the most out of AI technology.
🛠️The participants were asked to build a tool for a real world problem. The University of Eastern Finland is introducing KATEKO bachelor programs in health sciences and engineering. These programs are a great opportunity to learn a language while studying for a degree, but at the same time this creates unique challenges for university teachers who do not have separate training in language education.
🦾Altogether four teams competed in the challenge, including pupils from the Pielisjoki School. Their projects illuminated the need of multilingual students for accessible content and seamless participation.
💡The UEF student Joonas Luukkonen designed the winning solution. Joonas came up with an idea that doesn’t just translate study materials, but adapts the texts for language learners, suggests group activities and builds trustworthy glossaries. He impressed the jury that included the PLURI coordinator Alicja Fajfer, as well as the KATEKO representatives Mari Honkanen and Elina Heimala. The prize was €1000 sponsored by KATEKO and Otsakorpi Foundation.
😍We look forward to testing the solution in the classrooms.
