18
C. J. N. Nováková
3.3.1 Astrobiology Bingo Game
The Astrobiology Bingo (or Tombola) is a game of chance in which several people
at time can play. It is played with 50 numbered balls and, at least, one card per person
(European version) (usually the numbered balls are 90, but in our case we use 50).
The purpose of the game is to mark the numbers on the card (or cards) of each
player as they show the balls and becoming the first to complete the whole card
(called Tombola).
There are also intermediate wins when a player has 3, 4 and 5 numbers in a row in
his/her card, these intermediate wins are called Terna (triad), Quaterna (quadruplet)
and Cinquina (five-number row).
In our Tombola anytime a number, with its corresponding image, is taken out of
the basket, and then the corresponding image is uncovered, we comment and describe
that image. We also stimulate the public to participate to the game telling us what
they know about the object represented in the extracted image. This Tombola need
at least one presenter, better two presenters. It can be repeated several times.
The Tombola game is made with the use of a big screen with the Tombola’s display
board where there are 50 boxes covered, these boxes will be uncovered anytime the
corresponding number is casually extracted by the participants. In each box there is
an image which is significant from an astrobiology point of view (a biomolecule, an
extremophiles, a planet, an instrument…)—we have the software that represents the
Tombola’s display, it runs in any browser.
3.3.2 Sci-Fi Anthology
Science fiction has and for a long time has had a potential to reach wide public
and influence its perception of various matters. It may, therefore, serve as a good
material for outreach purposes to get actual science across to the public. In a time
when the public interest in science dwindles across multiple regions of the worlds and
its perception is often skewed by hasty reporting, such a concept that can grasp the
attention of people across a wide spectrum of demographics is most useful. Indeed,
science fiction has been used in STEM education e.g. in lectures and books by James
Kakalios or Andrew Fraknoi, who even keeps an irregularly updated list of SF stories
featuring good astronomy [2].
For outreach and educational purposes at the European Astrobiology Institute
(EAI), we have compiled an anthology titled “Strangest of All” [3] that contains
eight science fiction reprint stories by respected authors, showcasing the following
astrobiology topics: (1) life in a subsurface ocean, (2) life under high pressure, (3)
possibilities for exotic life in the Kuiper Belt, (4) exotic photosynthesis, (5) Dyson
spheres, (6) the SETI program, (7) the Fermi Paradox, and (8) planetary protection.
C. J. N. Nováková
3.3.1 Astrobiology Bingo Game
The Astrobiology Bingo (or Tombola) is a game of chance in which several people
at time can play. It is played with 50 numbered balls and, at least, one card per person
(European version) (usually the numbered balls are 90, but in our case we use 50).
The purpose of the game is to mark the numbers on the card (or cards) of each
player as they show the balls and becoming the first to complete the whole card
(called Tombola).
There are also intermediate wins when a player has 3, 4 and 5 numbers in a row in
his/her card, these intermediate wins are called Terna (triad), Quaterna (quadruplet)
and Cinquina (five-number row).
In our Tombola anytime a number, with its corresponding image, is taken out of
the basket, and then the corresponding image is uncovered, we comment and describe
that image. We also stimulate the public to participate to the game telling us what
they know about the object represented in the extracted image. This Tombola need
at least one presenter, better two presenters. It can be repeated several times.
The Tombola game is made with the use of a big screen with the Tombola’s display
board where there are 50 boxes covered, these boxes will be uncovered anytime the
corresponding number is casually extracted by the participants. In each box there is
an image which is significant from an astrobiology point of view (a biomolecule, an
extremophiles, a planet, an instrument…)—we have the software that represents the
Tombola’s display, it runs in any browser.
3.3.2 Sci-Fi Anthology
Science fiction has and for a long time has had a potential to reach wide public
and influence its perception of various matters. It may, therefore, serve as a good
material for outreach purposes to get actual science across to the public. In a time
when the public interest in science dwindles across multiple regions of the worlds and
its perception is often skewed by hasty reporting, such a concept that can grasp the
attention of people across a wide spectrum of demographics is most useful. Indeed,
science fiction has been used in STEM education e.g. in lectures and books by James
Kakalios or Andrew Fraknoi, who even keeps an irregularly updated list of SF stories
featuring good astronomy [2].
For outreach and educational purposes at the European Astrobiology Institute
(EAI), we have compiled an anthology titled “Strangest of All” [3] that contains
eight science fiction reprint stories by respected authors, showcasing the following
astrobiology topics: (1) life in a subsurface ocean, (2) life under high pressure, (3)
possibilities for exotic life in the Kuiper Belt, (4) exotic photosynthesis, (5) Dyson
spheres, (6) the SETI program, (7) the Fermi Paradox, and (8) planetary protection.