Two Inspiring Weeks at CERN’s IdeaSquare: Creativity, Collaboration, and Innovation

Our adventure at CERN and IdeaSquare has been an unforgettable journey of creativity and collaboration. It all began with introductions through a Pecha Kucha session, setting the tone for an exciting two weeks. We got artistic by crafting personal portraits and decorating them with space-themed illustrations before proudly displaying them on the big red bus at IdeaSquare. The first day wrapped up with a pizza dinner, where we bonded over great food and got to know each other better.

Week One: Exploring Kepler-42 and Beyond

In the first week, we embarked on a simulated journey to the Earth-like planet Kepler-42. Together, we designed a health care system for this new world, embracing mixed-nationality teamwork. Every morning began with a warm-up activity prepared by a small team, adding fun and energy to our days.

We expanded our skills in estimation, prototyping, and teamwork while working on this ambitious project. At the end of the week, we presented our results as five mixed-nationality teams in a collaborative presentation. The outcome was fantastic, and we felt proud of what we achieved together.

Our first week also included visits to historical landmarks like the Synchrocyclotron (CERN’s first particle collider) and the birthplace of the World Wide Web. We enjoyed a fondue evening, a “CERNy” breakfast, and inspiring talks: Dina prepared a session on prototyping, Pablo gave us insights into “What If…” thinking, and Catarina inspired us to think about our “Not Yets” (aspirations we’ve yet to accomplish).

Week Two: Prototyping, Ideation, and Deep Technology

The second week focused on turning opportunity cards into (more or less) actionable solutions. Guided by our opportunity cards, we engaged in extensive prototyping and ideation sessions, grounded in real-world challenges.

We visited the Antimatter Laboratory and the Science Gateway, immersing ourselves in cutting-edge science and technology. Workshops on systems thinking and future scenario ideation pushed our creative boundaries, while discussions on deep technology expanded our horizons.

As the week progressed, we honed in on one idea from our opportunity cards and developed multiple prototypes to bring this idea to life. These prototypes were showcased in a super short Pecha-Kucha-style presentation and an expo, allowing us to share our progress and innovative solutions with the group.

By the end of these two incredible weeks, we had not only built valuable skills but also formed lasting connections with like-minded individuals from around the world. These two weeks at CERN’s IdeaSquare were a transformative blend of science, creativity, and collaboration, leaving us inspired to turn bold ideas into meaningful actions for the future.

Fun-Fact: The story behind the photo “Journey of Lasagna”:

Our team, Inno.Space, decided to use the kitchen at Idea Square to cook dinner together. That night, we got delayed and didn’t have time to put the lasagna in the oven, though it was already prepared. The only solution was to take the uncooked lasagna back to the hotel and bake it there. The baking tray, however, was borrowed from Idea Square.

The next morning, we brought the tray back, and this photo served as evidence that we had returned it. 🙂