TASKS / CLUES

Each task describes some specificity of this celestial body, as well as holding a clue that leads the players to the final solution.

To make things more interesting, we used boxes locked with padlocks. There is one clue in each box (by solving the task, players learn something about the celestial body itself, and get the solution that rewards them with one letter of the name PSYCHE). By scanning the QR code inside a box, a task is presented to the players. The correct solution gives them a padlock code which the player can then unlock. Inside the unlocked box the player finds one letter and the next task. It is necessary to unlock all 7 padlocks to reach the final reward.

The final task for the players is to solve a puzzle with 3D printed letters (rewards for solving each of the tasks) and get the name PSYCHE. Correct name of the celestial body unlocks the last padlock, and in the box players will find a key that unlocks the chest and the mighty prize within (a 3D printer model of the Psyche asteroid).

Task #1

If you want to know what I'm made of, you need to solve the puzzles.

Then find two elements in a given positions.

A column 8 row 4 symbol: ____________

B column 10 row 4 symbol: ___________

All the tasks are available on our website, along with the answers provided for anyone who would want to reproduce the challenge in their own classroom / institution.

The players are provided with a cryptograph at the start of the game, which is used to decode answers found from the solved tasks. The end result will always be a three numbered code for a combination to the lock of the next box. All boxes, aside from the first and last one, contain 3D printed letters PSYCHE, which are used for the final task. The final task prompts the players to arrange those letters in a correct order and decode them for a last three digit combination. The last combination opens a prize chest containing 3D printed model of the asteroid Psyche.

While this project can be reproduced regardless of a location and institution, using our provided ideas for tasks, it is also possible for the task to be modified for purposes of any class and educational field. Anyone willing to use this escape room idea can modify the tasks to better reflect their own needs / expertise (as well as to better suit the level of education / age of the players). The use of the cryptograph itself can also be removed, should the escape room need to suit a lower age of participants, and the answers themselves can instead always give needed three-numbered combinations for the locks. The possibilities for different tasks are endless, just like space itself.

The game can be played with any number of players, but the more players there are - the easier it will be to beat the game (at least statistically). There is no limit to the number of players as the game can be played with one class of students being one team, as well as it being possible for the class to be split into several smaller groups. In that case, it is simply a case of preparing an adequate number of boxes, padlocks and printed material for each group to be able to play at the same time. This challenge can be done in the form of a competition, or a casual event. It is in the hands of the organizers to define what level of difficulty they need / want for the tasks, how many people they want to be in one group, and so on.

NASA Space Apps 2023

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