Earth Science Week 2024/2025 Summary

The Earth Science Week, which began in autumn 2024 and culminated in spring 2025, brought geology to thousands of Estonian students and teachers in a new, modern format. The series of events was led by the Geological Survey of Estonia in cooperation with partners TalTech and the Estonian Museum of Natural History.

The programme opened with a nationwide Earth Science quiz, which engaged 2,193 students from 47 schools across Estonia. The best-performing schools were awarded study excursions to the Arbavere Research Centre, where around 300 students and teachers gained hands-on experience with geological surveys, rocks, and minerals.

In February, a teacher training day was held at TalTech Mektory, attended by over 80 teachers, lecturers, and nature enthusiasts. The lectures and workshops covered topics from Estonian geology to broader discussions about the Earth’s subsurface and environmental issues.

New educational films and posters were produced as teaching materials, offering schools visually engaging tools for teaching geology. By the summer of 2025, the educational film on Estonian geology had been viewed nearly 3,700 times, being used both in classrooms and beyond. In addition, a new outdoor learning pavilion was opened at the Arbavere Research Centre, which will continue to serve as a study site in the coming years.

The Earth Science Week significantly increased young people’s interest in geology, provided teachers with valuable learning resources, and raised public awareness about the sustainable use of geological resources. Positive feedback from both students and teachers confirms that the event series has the potential to become a lasting tradition enriching Estonia’s educational and scientific landscape.

The organisation of Earth Science Week was supported by the Estonian Business and Innovation Agency.