Spots have recently opened for students interested to in a supportive introduction to programming and engineering through playful spy-themed missions.

Espionage Engineers:
Code, Design & Secrets

Tallinn, Estonia

WITHEDUCATORS

Lisé Whitfield and Rhys Looi

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COST PER STUDENT:
USD $2,650
Includes a $500 non-refundable
deposit per student

AGE GROUP:
• 12 – 15 years old (12 students maximum)

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PERFECT FOR:
This hands-on learning adventure for 12 - 15 year olds, Curious students who love puzzles, secret codes, electronics, technology, design challenges, history, and hands-on problem-solving.

This program is a supportive introduction to programming and engineering through playful spy-themed missions, empowering kids to become stealthy engineers and savvy digital explorers.

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• THE ADVENTURE

  In one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities, students step into a world of secrets, sensors, and code.
  
  Espionage Engineers is a four-week, place-based learning adventure focused on beginner-friendly programming, electronics, and spycraft, with Tallinn’s Old Town serving as a living backdrop for exploration.
  
  Students design, test, and build functional electronic devices using Arduino. Through hands-on engineering challenges, they work with sensors, circuits, signals, logic, and simple code as they learn how electronic systems respond to the world around them.
  
  The emphasis is on authentic engineering practice: curiosity, persistence, precision, teamwork, debugging, and iteration.

• AREAS OF EXPLORATION

  This program introduces students to programming through meaningful physical projects.

  Instead of learning code only on a screen, students use programming to control lights, sounds, sensors, alarms, locks, and interactive spy devices.

  Students may build projects such as:

  • Morse-code lockboxes

  • Laser tripwire alarms

  • Sensor-based alert systems

  • Secret signal devices

  • Simple coded communication tools
    

  Students learn how to break problems into smaller steps, test ideas, troubleshoot errors, and improve their designs over time.

• THE FINAL PROJECT

  The program culminates in a student-designed outdoor spy mission through Old Town Tallinn.

  Students transform the medieval streets into a live escape-room–style challenge, integrating the devices they have engineered with the codes, puzzles, and navigation systems they have designed.

  Parents are invited to participate as field agents, navigating through Tallinn’s historic streets to solve encrypted clues, activate sensors, and unlock challenges.

  The mission brings together everything students have learned—electronics, programming, cryptography, navigation, and teamwork—into a thrilling real-world experience.

• PRICE INCLUDES

  • Immersive learning program designed and taught by US-credentialed educator Lisé Whitfield with teaching assistant support

  • Small cohort of maximum 12 students, ages 12–15

  • Three engineering lab days each week focused on coding, electronics, and design challenges

  • Hands-on engineering labs including circuit building, soldering, debugging, and iterative prototyping

  • Major build projects including

  a laser trip-wire detection system assembled by each student

  a Morse-code-activated lock box integrating hardware inputs with coded logic

  • One full-day excursion each week exploring Estonian culture and landscapes

  • Program hours Monday–Thursday, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

  • Small-group math tutorials twice per week (9:00–10:00 AM)

  • Introduction to practical Estonian phrases for everyday navigation and interaction

  • Final student-designed spy mission showcase through Old Town Tallinn

• PRICE EXCLUDES

  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.

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FAQs ABOUT THE ESPIONAGE ENGINEERS LEARNING ADVENTURE

• WHO IS THIS ADVENTURE FOR?

  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.

• WHERE IS THIS ADVENTURE BASED?

  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.

• WHAT ARE THE PROGRAM HOURS?

  Classes run Monday through Thursday, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
  We will have three classroom days and one field excursion day per week.
  Optional small-group math tutorials take place two mornings per week from 9:00 – 10:00 AM, on either Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs, depending on group assignment.

• IN WHICH AREA DO WE BOOK ACCOMMODATION?

  Families book their own accommodations. We recommend staying within or near Old Town Tallinn to be close to the classroom and field locations.

• HOW DO WE GET AROUND?

  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.

• WILL A MIDDAY MEAL BE PROVIDED FOR THE CHILDREN?

  No. Please send your child with a packed lunch, snack, and refillable water bottle each day.

• WHAT LANGUAGES ARE SPOKEN IN ESTONIA? WILL MY CHILD NEED TO SPEAK ESTONIAN?

  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.

• DO THE AGENTS NEED TO BRING ANY SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FOR THIS MISSION?

  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.

• CAN PARENTS JOIN ANY PART OF THE PROGRAM?

  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.

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