Solania 2077 | WeAreHERe in Middle Schools
“Solania 2077” is the role-playing game designed to stimulate the imagination and empathy of girls and boys aged 11 to 13. Set in the future, in the year 2077, the game takes place in a cutting-edge city where humanity, facing the scarcity of natural resources, must find a revolutionary technology to produce infinite energy. The participants take on the roles of young engineers tasked with solving this urgent scientific challenge.
“It is the year 2077. Humanity has made enormous strides in scientific progress; just over 50 years ago, we completely abandoned the use of fossil fuels. We find ourselves in one of the most advanced cities on the continent, where the brightest minds on Earth come together to work on new revolutionary discoveries.
You have just met on the hyperloop that brought you here from the other side of the world, and I am the director of the city’s most important research center. Today, I have an important announcement to make. We need your help to find a new technology that can enable us to produce infinite energy.
We have little time left, and you are the best group of engineers in the entire Solar System. According to our latest findings, essential natural resources such as water, energy, and gas will be depleted within a maximum of 3 years. Life on this planet will no longer be possible unless you find the solution.”
The Invented Types of Engineers
In the game, participants can take on various types of engineers from the future, each with specific specializations and goals related to their area of expertise:
- Engineer of Light Flows
You are fascinated by studying the path of light, and in your laboratory, you have many lenses through which you conduct experiments. - Engineer of Whys
You always wonder why things happen. You travel the world to learn about the mechanisms behind them. - Pragmatic Engineer
Your goal is to solve problems. People call you from all over the world because you are number 1. - Star Scientist
In the evening, before going to sleep, you enjoy walking under the stars. In your study, you have a telescope that allows you to observe them up close. - Kinetic Scientist
You focus on the motion of objects. Everything that moves interests you; in fact, you never stay still! - Energy Scientist
How can we transform an element into energy? Your goal is to convert sunlight into infinite energy. - Engineer of Ideas
You like daydreaming. You always come up with new ideas and suggestions for the group. - Element Scientist
Planet Earth is your home, and you enjoy studying its elements. You have already discovered 459 and aim to reach 500! - Map Engineer
Geometry holds no secrets for you, and you use it to draw the boundaries of the solar system.
The Structure of the Game
The role-playing game “Solania 2077” unfolds in multiple phases, each representing an essential part of the mission:
- Introduction and Role Assignment: Each participant receives a badge that defines their role, complete with a character description, personal goals, a space for earned medals, and a piece of a puzzle that will be used in the final stage of the game.
- The Three Scientific Laboratories:
- Laboratory for Research on New Elements: Participants must solve scientific puzzles, such as chemical compositions or geometric sequences, to earn medals and advance in the game.
- Laboratory of Space Physics: In this phase, a dynamic of discrimination is introduced. The correct answers given by girls are not counted toward the medal distribution, highlighting the injustice to stimulate critical reflection on the issue of equality.
- Laboratory of Ingenuity: The final challenge involves completing a puzzle using the badges of all participants. Collaboration becomes essential to solve the game and overcome the divisions that emerged in the previous stages.
- Final Plenary Session: At the end of the game, an open discussion is held in which participants can share their impressions and reflect on the dynamics experienced. This moment of exchange helps draw lessons on the importance of teamwork and overcoming stereotypes.
Roles and Objectives of the Participants
“Solania 2077” features various roles, each with specific objectives that challenge participants to deal with situations of inclusion and exclusion:
- Activists: Some girls are tasked with convincing other participants to suspend their participation until they receive the medals they deserve.
- Role Models: Two girls strive to keep the group united and encourage collaboration to solve the final challenge.
- Soloists: Two boys prefer to focus on solving the problems without stopping to bring the group back together.
- Peacemakers: Participants who attempt to reunite the team in order to complete the puzzle and successfully finish the game.
The Educational Value of “Solania 2077”
This role-playing game offers a unique opportunity to explore the challenges related to gender disparity in STEM through hands-on experience. It not only teaches scientific concepts but also encourages critical reflection on biases and discriminatory behaviors. The final plenary session allows participants to understand how teamwork and recognizing everyone’s value are essential to address and overcome inequalities.
Bring “Solania 2077” to Your School
If you are a teacher and would like to bring the “Solania 2077” role-playing game to your class, contact us to organize a gaming session. It is a valuable opportunity to raise awareness among young students on the topics of inclusion and gender equality in STEM. Let’s build a future together where everyone can express their potential without limits imposed by stereotypes.
For more information, visit our website or email us at wearehere@polito.it.
