Heureka
Heureka is a science center in Vantaa, Finland, north of Helsinki. Its purpose is to facilitate the access to scientific knowledge and to develop the methods of scientific education.
History
The planning of the center started in the main building of the University of Helsinki in 1982, and the decision to found the center was made already the next year.
In 1984 the Tiedekeskussäätiö ("Science center foundation") was registered and Vantaa elected as the location. An architectural competition for the center was held between April and October 1985 and was won by an entry by architects Mikko Heikkinen and Markku Komonen.
Planning was completed in 1986. The cornerstone was laid in October 1987 and the construction ended a year later. The center opened its doors to the public on 28 April 1989.
Facts about Heureka
The center is a member of three associations of science centers:
- ASTC (Association of Science-Technology Centers)
- ECSITE (The European Collaborative for Science, Industry and Technology)
- NSCF (Nordisk Science Centerförbundet)