Incoming encrypted message… A small number of mission slots have just become available. Decode, design, and deploy alongside fellow Espionage Engineers in Tallinn!
Espionage Engineers:
Code, Design & Secrets
Tallinn, Estonia
WITHEDUCATORS
COST PER STUDENT:
USD $2,650
Includes a $500 non-refundable
deposit per student
AGE GROUP:
• 12 – 15 years old (12 students maximum)
PERFECT FOR:
Perfect for curious problem-solvers who love technology, puzzles, engineering, and adventure. Students don't need prior programming experience—just persistence, creativity, and a willingness to debug, experiment, and think like engineers.
Throughout the month they'll learn Arduino electronics and introductory programming while building 1-2 real working spy devices, exploring Cold War history, and designing an immersive escape-room mission through Tallinn's medieval streets.
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In one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities, students step into a world of secrets, sensors, and code. Set against the backdrop of Tallinn—a former Soviet Intelligence hub and one of today's most technologically innovative countries—Espionage Engineers combines electronics, coding, cryptography, and Cold War history into one unforgettable month of place-based learning.
Three days each week, our classroom transforms into a spy laboratory where students design circuits, write code, troubleshoot hardware, and gradually build increasingly sophisticated electronic devices. The fourth day takes learning into the city and countryside as we investigate Tallinn's hidden history, museums, forests, bogs, Baltic coastline, and traditions that make Estonia such a fascinating place to live and learn.
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Students will investigate:
Arduino electronics and circuit design
Introductory programming
Sensors, inputs, outputs, and digital logic
Cryptography and historical ciphers
Cold War espionage and intelligence history
Navigation, map reading, and spatial reasoning
Engineering design, debugging, and iterative problem solving
Each student will individually build and program:
a laser trip-wire detection system
a Morse-code lock box
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Rather than simply presenting their projects, students become the designers of the final adventure.
Working in teams, they will transform Tallinn's Old Town into a live outdoor escape-room experience for their parents. Using the electronic devices they've engineered, historical clues, cryptography, navigation challenges, and real locations throughout the medieval city, students will create and run an immersive spy mission that requires parents to think like intelligence agents to complete their assignment.
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• Four-week immersive learning adventure
• Three engineering workshop days and one cultural excursion day each week
• Arduino electronics kits and engineering materials
• Basic coding instruction
• Weekly field excursions throughout Tallinn and surrounding Estonia
• Small-group math tutorials from 9-10am on classroom days
• Student field journal
• Final family-invited escape-room mission
• Introductory Estonian language class by native speaker
• Instruction by credentialed educator, Lise Whitfield
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Accommodation
Families arrange their own lodging. We recommend staying within Tallinn’s Old Town or nearby neighborhoods to ensure easy walkability and simple daily drop-off and pick-up.Flights & Transportation
Flights and local transportation are not included. Daily movement within Tallinn does not require a car—the city is highly walkable and well served by trams and Uber. For weekly excursions and optional countryside trips, car rentals are easily available within the city.Meals
Students bring lunch and snacks each day.Laptop Computer
Each student must bring a Mac laptop capable of running Arduino and coding software.
FAQs ABOUT THE ESPIONAGE ENGINEERS LEARNING ADVENTURE
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No advanced programming experience is required.
Espionage Engineers is designed for curious students ages 12–15 who enjoy puzzles, technology, coding, electronics, design challenges, history, and teamwork.
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The program is based in Tallinn, Estonia, with Tallinn’s medieval Old Town serving as a living backdrop for spycraft, navigation, history, and final project work.
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Classes run Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
We will have three classroom days and one field excursion day per week. -
Families book their own accommodations. We recommend staying within or near Old Town Tallinn to be close to the classroom and field locations.
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Each family is responsible for transportation to and from the classroom and field sites. Most locations will be walkable or accessible via Tallinn’s excellent public transit.
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No. Please send your child with a packed lunch, snack, and refillable water bottle each day.
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The program is taught in English. Most people in Tallinn speak basic English. Your child does not need to speak Estonian, though we will learn a few basic phrases just to more fully appreciate the place based learning.
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We’ll provide most materials for electronics, coding and spy strategy. Your child should bring:
Basic Supplies:
Pencils, sharpener, and eraser
Black pens
Glue stick
Scissors
Small ruler (in centimeters)
Colored markers or colored pencils
Watercolor paints and a few different-sized brushes
Small roll of Scotch tape
Math Tools (for ages 11+):
Small scientific calculator (or a phone with a calculator app, if permitted)
Daily Essentials:
Comfortable backpack
Refillable water bottle
Lunch and snack containers
Weather-appropriate layers, light jacket, and comfortable walking shoes
We will provide each agent with a program journal, and engineering equipment—no need to bring a notebook.
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Yes! Parents are welcome to join our field excursion days, including visits to museums and historic sites. All costs for parents (entry fees, transit, etc.) are paid separately.
We have answered the most commonly asked questions about our Learning Adventures. You can take a look at them here.
