AHHAA was established as a special project of the Department of Research and Institutional Development of the University of Tartu (founded in 1632). AHHAA started its activities with a laser show in front of Tartu Observatory on September 1, 1997, and has had a strong and stable development ever since. In the spring of 1998, the first educational exhibition was organized in co-operation with the Finnish Science Centre Heureka. It was the very first interactive science exhibition in Estonia, visited by 22,000 people.
The purpose of AHHAA is to introduce science to everyone. Using interactive and entertaining methods and the scientific excellence of 380-year old Tartu University, we try to overcome fear and prejudice towards learning. With the support of Tartu’s educational traditions and latest developments of information society, we hope to provide every visitor with the joy of gaining new knowledge and pleasant pastime activities.