Discover Natural Phenomena
As a result of a fruitful co-operation between Estonia, Latvia and Finland an imagination-triggering exhibition on climate related topics has been created in Tallinn and Riga science centres. In co-operation with the University of Helsinki there will also be carried out a leading-edge research on the effects that the informal learning methods have on the ability of learning.
A travelling interactive exhibition and science theatre programme on weather and natural phenomena called “Discover Natural Phenomena!” (DNP) but also a research project has been created between Estonian and Latvian science centres and the University of Helsinki in the framework of Nordplus Horizontal programme. The aim of this venture is to promote a cross-sectoral approach to informal and interactive educational ways of learning in Estonia and Latvia.
Fruitful co-operation
This hands-on exhibition was created by Tallinn Discovery Centre ENERGY and Riga Children Science Centre “Tehnoannas Pagrabi” in co-operation with the Teacher Training Department of the University of Helsinki. Within the project the Finnish partners will carry out a research on the effects the informal education has on the ability of learning, providing grounds for the same kind of research that might be later carried out by the Estonian or Latvian researchers.
Discovering the world of science
“Discover Natural Phenomena!” exhibition is currently displayed in science centre “Tehnoannas Pagrabi”. According to Kertu Saks, the project manager and the director of Tallinn Discovery Centre ENERGY, weather is a good exhibition subject because it catches attention and acts like a trigger for imagination. Also, as this interactive exhibition creation involves innovative thinking and engineering, it helps the children to understand the different aspects of the extremities of nature and raises their interest in different subjects of science.
Pioneers in the field
There had been no interactive exhibitions on climate issues, neither university-level researches on the effects of the hands-on ways of learning to children in Estonia and Latvia before the project took off in October 2010. The project’s web-site is available in 4 languages and is a useful tool for pedagogues who teach weather and climate issues.
Text: PhD Kertu Saks, Director of Tallinn Discovery Centre ENERGY
