“Cosmic SOS”: An adventure game at CERN Science Gateway

Detectors are essential tools for modern astroparticle physics. Found in ground-based and space-borne observatories, they are used to detect, analyse and monitor all types of electromagnetic and particle radiation. Following similar principles, cutting-edge detectors at CERN are used to detect the products of high-energy collisions, allowing scientists to test theoretical models about the fundamental laws of nature and the evolution of the universe. Building on this parallel, a new activity has been developed at CERN Science Gateway, CERN’s education and outreach center. This activity is designed for 13-15 y.o. students in the form of an adventure game. Participants embark on a journey as members of a spaceship crew tasked with deciphering a message coming from deep space. To succeed on their mission, they must solve a series of puzzles that allow them to explore electromagnetic and particle radiation. For this activity, a range of detectors are employed, including the MiniPIX pixel detector, a radiation detector based on the Timepix silicon pixel technology, developed at CERN. These novel devices constitute powerful tools not only for scientific research but also for the communication of complex concepts about space and particle physics to students and the general audience. By allowing participants to interact with these detectors first-hand and by highlighting their utilization not only at experiments taking place at CERN, but also on the International Space Station (ISS) or on trips to the moon, they gain insight into the broader applications of detectors, which extend beyond the terrestrial laboratories to the frontiers of space exploration. In these proceedings, we will report on the initial conception and development process of the adventure game, showcase its different activities, and outline future directions.