A new workshop explores the world of physics through video games and CERN’s ATLAS Detector. 

Students work on a computer at the National Videogame Museum

A new workshop invites students to work in groups to create a concept for a video game located at CERN in Geneva.

It is being introduced at the National Videogame Museum in Sheffield in time for the new academic year. 

Developed by the museum’s award-winning team in collaboration with The University of Sheffield and CERN in Geneva, students will get a glimpse into the world of particle physics at CERN, the Large Hadron Collider and the ATLAS detector in Switzerland.

Pupils will be able to remotely explore the ATLAS detector through a guided 360° tour, which will become the inspiration for designing their own video game. After learning about the impact of physics on video game development and implementation, students will then work in groups to create a concept for a new video game located at CERN - inspired by particle physics and their own physics knowledge. They then pitch their game concepts to the rest of the group.

A smiley child takes part in a workshop at the National Videogame Museum

It is one of four workshops available at the National Videogame Museum for Key Stage 2-4 and further education.

Aimed at Key stages 3 and 4 and further education students, the workshop is ideal for physics, computing and art and design curriculum subjects and aims to develop key skills in critical thinking, presentation, teamwork, creativity and writing.

It is one of four workshops schools can book when visiting the National Videogame Museum. The others are ‘Museum Makers’ (another new workshop for KS2 students to become museum curators), ‘Build a Controller & Defeat the Aliens’ and ‘Pixel Art & Designing Videogame Characters.’

About the National Videogame Museum

Located in Sheffield city centre, it is said to be the UK’s only museum dedicated solely to video games and features more than 100 playable exhibits from retro arcade machines to modern games consoles. It also preserves 5,000 objects of video game heritage for future generations through its collection. 

Students watch a screen at the National Videogame Museum

Students can delve into the history and culture of video games through the museum’s interactive gallery and exhibitions.

Educational visits are available throughout the year for primary, secondary and further education students. There is temporary parking outside for dropping and picking up school groups and coach drivers are welcome to wait inside the museum for free. 

For more information about school trips to the museum visit thenvm.org/learning/educational-visits/

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