The photo exhibition “Growing Your Own Food” tells stories about growing food, gardening, and the relationship between humans and nature.

The exhibition was created based on the results of a pan-European photo contest of the same name held in 2023. Accompanying the photos are the authors’ reflections on the captured moments, as well as brief educational texts on the benefits and unique aspects of organic food production.

Exhibition Themes

• Patterns in the Garden.
• A Close-Up of the Garden.
• The Hard-Working Garden.
• Stories from Educational, Community, and Home Gardens.
• Organic farming and its value.

A total of 1,102 entries were submitted to the photo contest, mainly from Estonia, but also from Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Georgia, Montenegro, and the United Kingdom.

Exhibition kit and transportation

• 21 composite photo panels.
• Dimensions of each panel: 74 × 74 cm.
• The panels have hanging loops.
• Worksheets for students at two difficulty levels.
• Four transport bags measuring 85 × 85 × 12 cm.
• Each transport bag weighs approximately 10 kg.

Teaching Materials

Worksheet for grades 4–6 (PDF) →

Worksheet for grades 7–9 (PDF) →

View selected entries from the photo contest →

The photo contest and exhibition were organized as part of the “Growing Our Own Food” project—a core program of Tartu 2024, European Capital of Culture—and the Green School program.

The traveling exhibition “Out of the Closet—Clothes Between Body and Weather” opens up the exciting world of clothing and textiles.

Based on the 2023 summer exhibition, this display explores the origins, history, properties, production, uses, and environmental impact of various materials.

What questions does the exhibition answer?

• What materials are our clothes made of?
• Why can sheep’s wool be felted, but not dog hair in the same way?
• How do different technical textile materials work?
• What kinds of clothing are made from wood, and what kinds from plastic bottles?
• Why do different fabrics require different temperatures when ironing?
• What do clothing labels tell us?
• Who invented the snap fastener, and how did the idea come about?

What can you do at the exhibition?

• Examine textile fibers and fabric types under a magnifying glass.
• Play in the “button sea.”
• Learn about the journey of Malle and Pelle’s clothes.
• Discover the personal stories behind five T-shirts.
• Try out different buttons, clasps, hooks, and snaps.
• Look for and examine clothing labels.
• Try threading a needle and sewing on a button.
• Discuss fashion, consumption, and the future of clothing.

The exhibition also includes simple worksheets.

Space Requirements and Transportation

• The entire exhibition requires approximately 50–60 m² of space.
• Hanging displays require hooks, hangers, or other suitable fasteners.
• The displays can also be placed in public areas, such as the lobby and hallways.
• Interactive exhibits require a supervised space.
• The borrower is responsible for providing the necessary tables, chairs, and electrical connections for the stereo microscopes.
• A covered trailer, van, school bus, or other large vehicle is suitable for transport.

The exhibition components are packed in bags sewn from recycled materials. Transportation is arranged by the borrower. By special agreement, the nature center may provide transportation assistance as a separate service.

Photos of the exhibition

Additional Information and Educational Materials

Exhibition overview and educational materials →

List of available elements and dimensions (PDF) →

The exhibition is in Estonian and English. It is also possible to borrow display panels in only one language.

The creation of the exhibition was supported by the Estonian Research Council.

“The Sixth Wave” is a traveling exhibition about the decline in biodiversity, species extinction, and the human impact on the environment.

The exhibition explores the concept of the Anthropocene, explains the causes of habitat destruction, and invites visitors to consider how they can contribute to the conservation of nature.

Main Themes of the Exhibition

• Extinction of animal and plant species.
• Habitat destruction and change.
• The impact of climate change on biodiversity.
• The environmental impact of industry and human activity.
• The impact of invasive alien species.
• Success stories in species conservation and habitat restoration.
• Everyday ways to preserve biodiversity.

Rental kit

• 14 roll-up displays.
• Commemorative plaques for ten extinct species.
• A set of worksheets for photocopying.
• A set of activities for use at the exhibition.
• Teacher’s guides, which remain with the borrower.

Languages: All exhibition materials are in Estonian and Russian.

Online exhibition and educational materials

The exhibition’s dedicated website features the entire exhibition content, files for the elements available for loan, downloadable worksheets, additional activities, supplementary thematic discussions, and recommendations for eco-friendly choices.

Visit the “Sixth Wave” exhibition website →

The exhibition texts and illustrations were compiled by biologist and conservationist Rein Kuresoo. The exhibition was supported by the Environmental Investment Center Foundation.

What would the world be like without insects? What does life look like from an insect’s perspective? What is the relationship between humans and insects?

The interactive exhibition “Life with Insects” invites visitors to discover the world of insects and explore how the living environments of insects and humans are interconnected.

The exhibition is suitable for various age groups. Younger visitors can explore the world of insects with an adult, but even experienced insect enthusiasts will find exciting new insights.

What can you find at the exhibition?

• A tent and a floor mat.
• Three insect-themed fabric puzzles.
• Six hexagonal metal information stands on three hanging brackets.
• Discovery stations with fabric information panels.
• A building block game and an exploration of bee products.
• Insects in glass jars.
• Aliase cards and a rotating life cycle wheel.
• An insect lab with a binocular microscope and Petri dishes.
• A wooden hive filled with fascinating facts.
• Slide presentation, laminated exhibition guide, and worksheets.

Watch the video

Introductory video for the insect exhibition on YouTube →

The exhibition texts and photos were created by entomologist Urmas Tartes. The project manager is Krista Tomson. Two copies of the exhibition have been produced; the second copy is located at the Sagadi Forest Center.

The playful urban nature exhibition “I’m Not a Visitor, I Live Here” invites you to notice the plants and animals with whom we share the urban environment.

The exhibition introduces humans’ natural neighbors and offers an opportunity to reflect on for whom and how we design the city. What kind of living environment is suitable for people, and what kind for the other species living in the city?

1. Ten display panels

The displays explore the formation and development of cities, environmental issues, and the city as an artificial ecosystem. The exhibition examines the needs of plants and animals living in the city, as well as various habitats: gardens, parks, cemeteries, tree-lined avenues, and bodies of water.

The exhibition also addresses hemerobiosis—that is, how species respond to human activity and adapt to human impact.

2. Urban Species Register

The registry introduces the plant, fungus, and animal species living in cities, along with their habitat requirements, lifestyles, reproduction, and other characteristics.

The registry is presented at the exhibition as a registry tree and in folders, allowing visitors to explore who actually lives in our city.

3. Hemerometer

The Hemerometer is a playful measuring tool created for the exhibition to explore the attitudes of 20 plant and animal species toward human activity.

Participants can predict how tolerant different species are of humans and then compare their results on the hemerometer. Examples include the rock pigeon, flying squirrel, house sparrow, European ant lion, and several other species.

4. Urban Planning Game

The urban planning role-playing game offers the opportunity to design a city while taking into account the needs of both humans and other species.

What would happen if a hedgehog, a beaver, a bat, a ground squirrel, and other city residents could have a say in urban planning discussions?

In the game, you must make choices with limited options. Should you build new houses, construct a shopping center, or preserve a park instead?

Recommended number of players: 5–22 people at a time. You can also try a simplified version of the game with a smaller group or on your own.

5. Skill Games: “Dangers in the City”

In these skill-based games, participants help a hedgehog, a squirrel, and birds make their way home through a dangerous urban environment.

The games encourage players to think about the dangers different species face in the city and how we can make the living environment safer for everyone.

6. Sounds and Noise

The audio section of the exhibition introduces the soundscapes of Tartu and its surroundings.

You can listen to various sounds from urban nature, public spaces, and natural habitats. We explore what noise and silence are, and how sounds affect the well-being of people and other urban inhabitants.

A noise meter was used to characterize the soundscapes.

Educational Materials

You can visit the exhibition briefly or delve deeper into the worksheets, games, and hands-on activities.

Urban Nature Exhibition Worksheets (DOC) →

Urban Planning Worksheet (DOC) →

The exhibition was created in collaboration with natural scientists, artists, and other creative professionals. The exhibition coordinator is Annelie Ehlvest. The following individuals contributed to the creation of the exhibition: Rein Kuresoo, Epp Margna, Veljo Runnel, Liina Margna, Toomas Kalve, Eleonora Kampe, Peeter Laurits, Leelo Laurits, Paavo Pedmanson, Kati Naarits, Liina Tuulik, Arne Ader, Lea Tuvikene, Urmas Tartes, Aivo Tamm, Sulev Kuuse, Arvi Tragel, Vello Liiv, Vallo Kalamees, Merike Linnamägi, Liis Sipsaka, Val Rajasaar, Mart Jüssi, Mari Jüssi, Janika Ruusmaa, Kersti Sõgel, Tiina Viiol, Kalju Eit, Eva-Liisa Orula, Anneli Ehlvest, Helle Kont, Sirje Janikson, Ene Örd, Jaanus Elts, and others.

The traveling exhibition “8 Reasons Why I Prefer to Ride a Bicycle” is primarily intended for elementary school students.

The exhibition highlights the benefits of daily cycling, safe cycling practices, and important traffic rules for cyclists.

Exhibition Kit

• 11 PVC panels.
• A spring-loaded stand.
• A bicycle-themed card game.
• Over 30 different educational materials, including textbooks, worksheets, brochures, and DVDs.

Languages: The exhibition is also available in Russian.

The exhibition’s educational materials facilitate discussions about traffic safety, eco-friendly transportation, and the benefits of cycling.

The traveling exhibition “Year of the Gulf of Finland 2014” was created as part of the international Year of the Gulf of Finland.

The exhibition showcases the biodiversity, environmental status, marine research, and historical trade and cultural ties of the Gulf of Finland.

The aim of the exhibition is to draw attention to the uniqueness and vulnerability of the Gulf of Finland and the need for cooperation in preserving the marine environment.

Exhibition Themes

• The Gulf of Finland’s catchment area and biodiversity.
• The state of the marine environment and how it is changing.
• Modern marine research methods.
• Environmentally friendly consumption habits.
• Shipping and maritime transport.
• The region’s historical trade and cultural ties.

Items Available for Loan

1. Two metal frames measuring 84 × 197 cm, to which six textile posters can be attached.
2. A textile poster measuring 100 × 300 cm titled “One Bay, Three Countries—Millions of Joys and Challenges!”
3. A textile promotional poster measuring 144 × 150 cm.
4. Exhibit “Quotes.”
5. Exhibit “Interesting Science,” which requires approximately 100 × 120 cm of table space.
6. Exhibit “What Can I Do?”, which requires approximately 100 × 100 cm of table space.
7. Floor game “Life in the Gulf of Finland.”

Space Requirements and Transportation

• The exhibition requires at least 20 m² of floor space.
• The exhibition is packable and transportable.
• Exhibits can also be rented as separate modules.
• The exhibition is suitable for both students and adults.

Educational Materials

Exhibition Worksheets – Questions (PDF) →

Exhibition Worksheets – Answers (PDF) →

The exhibition was developed in collaboration with organizations from Estonia, Finland, and Russia. The Estonian partners were the Environmental Board, the Estonian Museum of Nature, and the Tartu Environmental Education Center. The production of the exhibition was supported by the Environmental Investment Center Foundation.

Target audience: preschool and elementary school students

The Lotte Nature Game is a playful educational tool that introduces Estonian nature to both children and their parents. The game combines a traditional board game with a digital game pen, making learning exciting and interactive.

The players’ task is to find the correct picture answers on the game cards to the questions asked by Lotte. Answers can be checked using the digital game pen.

What will we discover in the game?

• Estonia’s biodiversity and various natural habitats.
• Water bodies and their wildlife.
• Wetlands and marshes.
• Forests and meadows.
• Fields and gardens.
• Human activities in nature and an environmentally friendly lifestyle.

The game includes both simple and more complex questions. The difficulty level can be adjusted using a digital game pen, making the game suitable for participants of different ages and with varying levels of knowledge.

What’s included in the game set?

• Game board.
• Dice and game pieces.
• Game cards with various themes.
• Digital game pens.
• A portable game case.

The set is packed in a compact case that is convenient to transport and use in various learning environments.

Lotte’s Nature Game. Click on the photo to view a larger image.

Target audience: Grades 1–4; particularly suitable for grades 2–3

The “Peat Case” is a practical set of teaching materials that allows students to explore Estonian bogs, their biota, and natural phenomena even in the classroom.

The kit was created to make learning about bogs more engaging. Students can examine real specimens, make observations, and complete assignments.

What does the Peat Box contain?

• Herbarium specimens of the most common plant species growing in Estonian bogs.
• Peat samples in test tubes.
• Peat samples for examination with a magnifying glass or microscope.
• Teacher’s guide materials.
• Student worksheets.
• Additional sample materials needed for studying bogs.

The sample materials were collected from bogs in southern Estonia.

What do we learn with the Peat Box?

• What are the different types of bogs in Estonia?
• What plants and other organisms live in bogs?
• How is peat formed?
• What is the importance of bogs in nature?
• How can we study natural materials using practical observation tools?

This teaching resource supports the teaching of natural science, geography, and biology, and helps connect theoretical knowledge with hands-on research.

Contents of the peat kit. Click on the photo to enlarge it.

Background of the Educational Resource

The peat kit was developed as part of the Estonian-Latvian cooperation project “Back to Nature.” The project was supported by the European Regional Development Fund through the Estonia-Latvia program and the Environmental Investment Center Foundation.

The project partners were the Tartu Environmental Education Center Foundation, the Peipsi Cooperation Center NGO, and the Environmental Board from Estonia, as well as the Gauja National Park Foundation and the Ķemeri National Park Administration from Latvia.

Target audience: Grades 1–4

“Coastal Meadow Kit” is an educational resource designed to help students learn about coastal meadows, the organisms found there, and the impact of grazing.

The focus of the educational tool is livestock manure and its important role in the nutrient cycle and biota of meadow ecosystems. We explore how a diverse habitat develops in grazed meadows and how different species are interconnected.

What do we explore with the Coastal Meadow Kit?

• The biota of coastal meadows and their various habitats.
• The importance of grazing in preserving grasslands.
• The role of domestic animals in grassland ecosystems.
• Manure as a habitat and food source for many organisms.
• Natural processes occurring in meadows.

What teaching materials can be used?

The teaching kit includes practical supplies and multimedia materials, including short films and quizzes.

These help introduce meadow biodiversity even when classes are held indoors and observation opportunities in natural meadows are limited due to the season.

Although the examples are primarily from coastal meadows, the section of the kit covering domestic animals, grazing, and manure is also suitable for learning about other grazed meadow ecosystems.

Coastal Meadow Kit teaching aid. Click on the photo to view a larger image.

Target audience: Grades 2–4

Where do bananas, coffee, cocoa, and cotton come from? Who grows them, and what are the social and environmental issues associated with their production?

The “Fair Trade” teaching resource helps students understand international trade relations, producers’ working conditions, and consumers’ opportunities to make more informed choices.

Four main topics

• Bananas: cultivation, production, and supply chains.
• Cotton: the origin of raw materials for textiles and the impact of production.
• Coffee: working conditions for growers and trade relations.
• Cocoa: social and environmental issues related to production.

How is the teaching resource used?

Students answer questions, discover new facts, and earn points as teams.

Points are tallied using the buttons on the built-in scoreboard, which are moved for correct answers.

After the question-and-answer round, the teacher can use the texts on the other side of the teaching aid to explore the background of each topic.

For example, we can discuss the challenges producers face and how fair trade principles aim to improve working conditions, support communities, and reduce environmental damage.

Fair Trade teaching resource. Click on the photo to view a larger version.

Target audience: Grades 3–4

Which everyday choices have the greatest impact on the environment? Does our idea of an eco-friendly lifestyle always match reality?

The interactive learning tool “Where Is Life More Sustainable and Sensible?” helps students understand how different consumption habits and lifestyles affect the use of natural resources and the environment.

What topics do we cover?

• Home heating and thermal energy consumption.
• Transportation and daily modes of travel.
• Use of electrical appliances.
• Food production and consumption.
• Water use.
• Waste generation and management.
• The environmental impact of various services and consumption choices.

How does the game work?

The teaching aid consists of a magnetic board and cards that introduce the lifestyles and habits of four typical Estonian households.

Students learn about the families’ activities and assess how sustainable their daily choices are. They then award points to the families on the magnetic board.

An important part of the game is the discussion: students explain their assessments, listen to their classmates’ arguments, and compare different perspectives.

Students can compare their results with the assessments of the experts who helped develop the game. An explanatory booklet included in the kit provides additional support for the teacher.

What does the game teach?

The game helps students understand that environmentally friendly choices cannot always be assessed based on a single action. It is important to look at the big picture and consider which actions place the greatest strain on the environment and natural resources.

This educational tool promotes critical thinking, reasoning, and a more informed approach to everyday consumption choices.

The Eco-Friendly Choices Game. Click on the photo to view a larger version.