Operations

Heureka, the Finnish Science Centre

Heureka, the Finnish Science Centre introduces the public to science and technology in an engaging and interactive way. Visitors can experience the joy of discovery through spectacular exhibitions, planetarium films, educational programmes and events.

Located in the Tikkurila area of Vantaa, Heureka first opened its doors to the public in 1989. Heureka is one of Finland’s most popular recreational centres, attracting an average of nearly 300,000 visitors each year.

Heureka’s operations are subsidized by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the City of Vantaa.

Mission:
Joy of discovery!

Vision:
Everyone will fall in love with science.

Values:

  • We base ourselves on research.
    We are reliable and transparent and promote scientific understanding.
  • We inspire everyone to be curious.
    We increase society’s science capital by making science easy to approach. We provide meaningful and memorable experiences.
  • We act sustainably.
    Ecological, social and economic sustainability steer all our activities.
  • We learn and succeed together.
    We encourage creativity and renewal. We build collaboration and respect diversity.
Heureka Annual Review 2022 (pdf)

Heureka's history

The roots of Heureka, the Finnish Science Centre can be traced back to the University of Helsinki and scientists, who had become acquainted with different science centres located around the world. The initial spark was lit by Adjunct Professors Tapio Markkanen, Hannu I. Miettinen and Heikki Oja.

It all began with the Physics 82 exhibition held at the House of the Estates in Helsinki on 20–26 May 1982. During autumn of that same year, the science centre project was launched with the initial support of the Academy of Finland, the Ministry of Education, and various foundations. The project led to the establishment of the Finnish Science Centre Foundation during 1983–1984. The original founding members of the foundation included the University of Helsinki, the Helsinki University of Technology, the Federation of Finnish Learned Societies, and the Confederation of Industries.

In 1984, the City of Vantaa offered to be the host city and partial financier for the Science Centre, and also designated a property lot located in the southern end of Tikkurila as the future site of the centre. An architectural competition, held in 1985, turned out two first prizes from which the winning design was selected; namely the “Heureka” design submitted by Mikko Heikkinen, Markku Komonen and Lauri Anttila. That’s how the Finnish Science Centre Heureka got its apt name!

Before the building was completed, a number of test exhibitions were set up at other sites. The interior plan for the Science Centre was completed in 1986. The foundation for the building was laid in October 1987, and the construction work was completed one year later. The overall area of the building is 8,200 m², of which 2,500 m² is exhibition space. The Finnish Science Centre Heureka opened its doors to the public on 28 April 1989.

Organisation

The Heureka Science Centre is a non-profit-making organization. Its activities are managed by the Finnish Science Centre Foundation. The Finnish Science Centre Foundation is a broadly based co-operation organisation that includes the Finnish scientific community, education sector, trade and industry, and national and local government. The ten background organisations of the Foundation support, develop and actively participate in the activities of Heureka.

The Foundation’s highest body is the Board. Members of the Board are appointed by the Council. Heureka’s facilities and property are owned by the real estate company Kiinteistö Oy Tiedepuisto, whose shares are exclusively owned by the City of Vantaa. Everyday activities are the responsibility of Heureka’s CEO assisted by a management team and other staff.

The Finnish Science Centre Foundation

  • Aalto University
  • Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions
  • City of Vantaa
  • Confederation of Finnish Industries, EK
  • Federation of Finnish Learned Societies
  • Ministry of Education and Culture
  • Ministry of Employment and the Economy
  • Ministry of Finance
  • Trade Union of Education in Finland
  • University of Helsinki

Organisation

The Finnish Science Centre Foundation    

Delegation: Kaarle Hämeri, Chairman, Governing Board: Kimmo Kiljunen, Chairman, Mikko Myllykoski, CEO, Ari Kurenmaa, Director of Finance and Administration, Heli Ainoa
, Communication Director.

Heureka’s Companies  

Heureka Overseas Productions LTD Oy
Mikko Myllykoski, Chairman of the Board

Science Shop Magneetti Oy
Mikko Myllykoski, Chairman of the Board
Päivi Astrén, Managing Director