Science Centre AHHAA | |
Established | 1 September 1997 |
---|---|
Location | Tartu |
Type | Science museum |
Founder | City of Tartu and the University of Tartu |
Website | Official website |
Science Centre AHHAA (Estonian: Teaduskeskus AHHAA) is a science centre located in Tartu, Estonia, and is currently the largest science centre in the Baltic states. AHHAA was established to promote science and technology using interactive exhibits.
Since 7 May 2011, Science Centre AHHAA has been in the building located in the centre of Tartu.
AHHAA was established as a project of the University of Tartu on 1 September 1997. Since 12.03.2004, it has operated as a foundation constituted by the city of Tartu and the University of Tartu. [1] The activities of the Science Centre AHHAA Foundation are coordinated by a committee composed of Katrin Pihor, Hannes Astok, Aune Valk, Reno Laidre, Jaanika Anderson and Sulev Valner. Additionally, the practical aspects of the activities of the foundation are appraised by a science committee composed of experts consisting of Jaan Kikas, Peeter Saari, Jaak Jaaniste, Mart Noorma, Arko Olesk, Toivo Maimets, Priit Põdra and Margit Timakov. AHHAA is governed by the board consisting of two members. Tiiu Sild was the head of the board until 2012. She was followed by Andres Juur (head of board since 2012). The second board member is Pilvi Kolk (member of board since 2005).
In 2008, the AHHAA 4D Adventure Cinema opened in the Lõunakeskus shopping centre located in Tartu (the cinema was closed at the end of 2017). In 2009, a branch office of Science Centre AHHAA opened in Tallinn at the Freedom Square (the Tallinn branch was closed at the end of 2013). On 7 May 2011, Science Centre AHHAA in Tartu opened the doors of its new, 11,156 m2 building engineered by architects Vilen Künnapu and Ain Padrik.
Science Centre AHHAA houses a fully spherical hybrid planetarium (which means there is a possibility to show the skies with optical and digital projection, which can be displayed separately or together).
The planetarium design includes a glass floor which allows the projection images to extend under the floor. [2]
The AHHAA Planetarium belongs to two organisations:
Science Centre AHHAA had a 4D Adventure Cinema, located in the Lõunakeskus shopping centre on the southern edge of Tartu. The cinema was open from 18 July 2008 to 31 December 2017 [3]
The Science Centre AHHAA Foundation regularly organizes special events. Some of the most notable events are listed below:
The Science Centre AHHAA Foundation participates in science festivals and fairs both in Estonia and abroad, its main choice being the science theatre shows and various workshops. During the past few years Festival della Scienza and Perugia Science Fest [5] in Italy, Korea Science Festival [6] in South Korea, Moscow Science Festival [7] in Russia, Science Picnic in Poland and Science Festival Belgrade [8] in Serbia have been among the few places where Science Centre AHHAA has been represented.
Science Centre AHHAA has been awarded with numerous prizes both for the building as well as for its intellectual achievements.
The activities of the Science Centre AHHAA Foundation are in co-operation with:
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Tartu County is one of 15 counties of Estonia.
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The Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) is a business network in Estonia. The largest in the country, it has over 3000 members. The chamber has operated continuously since 1989. Originally established in 1925, it was closed down after 15 years during the Soviet occupation, resuming after re-independence in 1989.
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Science fiction and fantasy in Estonia is largely a product of the current post-Soviet era. Although somewhat earlier authors, like Eiv Eloon and Tiit Tarlap, do exist.
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Kalle Kurg is an Estonian poet, writer, critic, translator and editor. As a versatile figure in Estonian culture, he has also published caricatures and worked as a theatre director.
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The Estonian Science Communication Award is an Estonian award given to an individual or group for the popularization of science since 2006.
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