Everyone has heard about quantum mechanics by now. But it remains a mystery for many, a placeholder for something impossibly complicated, a synonym to “rocket science”. So what happens if we stop treating quantum physics as something untouchable and turn it into a game?
For the past year and a half, I’ve been helping build something a little unusual at the University of Zürich: a quantum-physics–inspired escape room that lets you step straight into a century of scientific ideas.
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of quantum theory, the Quantum Century Escape Room will transport you back to the 1920s— when quantum mechanics was just born. As the countdown begins, your team must crack puzzles, connect clues, and tackle hands-on challenges to uncover the secret of a mysterious scientist from the early days of quantum physics, whose long-forgotten office has just been “rediscovered” in the basements of the University of Zürich.
And here’s the best part: you don’t need to know any physics to play! The escape room is designed for curious minds of all backgrounds and shines a spotlight not only on famous discoveries, but also on the often-overlooked scientists and inventors who helped shape modern physics.
Turning this idea into reality was an adventure on its own, filled with trials and tribulations – from coming up with puzzles and storylines to designing the room’s visual world, building and testing interactive elements, and making sure everything works when players enter the room. I’m proud to have contributed to the concept, coordination, and visual design—and I’m even more excited to finally share it with you.
This project was made possible thanks to a fantastic UZH-wide collaboration: the Department of Physics, the Physics Workshop, Science Lab UZH, and many wonderful colleagues. We are also grateful for partial support from the Swiss National Science Foundation SNSF Agora programme, which helped bring this idea to life.
🔓✨ Bookings for next year are now open—come explore quantum mysteries at the Science Pavilion UZH! 🔗 Book your visit here.
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