Introducing: The ImSci Intern Challenge!

So following the aftermath of Derezzed, we were determined to come up with a new team building game for the interns - preferably one that did not rely on physical prowess in any way, and more importantly something that would be more directly tied to Imaging Science. After some brainstorming, we came up with The ImSci Intern Challenge (cue fanfare - sorry, I know it's not really that exciting of a title). Each week, teams of two randomly paired interns will be assigned a challenge related to research that one of our labs does. They are required to use Imaging Science to successfully complete the problem, and must send proof of their solution to "The Officials". Teams will be scored in order of successful completion, and additional awards will be given to the best solution each week. With these basics in mind, we set about writing up the Challenge on the Reading Room whiteboard for the interns to discover at lunch time: 

Full rules, including The Fine Print.

The truth is we hadn't made the challenge yet at this point, but waiting to reveal it just added to the surprise and anticipation anyways.

It wasn't long before the new game was discovered and excitement started to spread. During lunch I secretly started prototyping the first challenge which mimics the Archimedes Palimpsest, but when I went in to the Reading Room to use the scanner there were already a bunch of interns in there, so I made off with the scanner and hid in my office to complete my proof of concept. I would have thought this was a dead giveaway that the scanner would be instrumental in the solution, but strangely no one seemed to be jumping at the scanner once 1PM rolled around and I posted the challenge...

Challenge #1: Click on the picture to read the specifics.

Basically, for this challenge some instructions and a secret code are hidden in a document which has been turned 90º and printed over in another color (and alphabet, for that matter). The interns have to use IMAGING SCIENCE to read the hidden message, and then have to do what it says. I really like this problem because it involves a few steps to get to the final solution, all of which should be fun, challenging, and even educational. I am happy to report I witnessed some interns seeking out professional help around the building, to which I overheard some really important and useful lessons being given in response. I think the ImSci Intern Challenge really will prove fun AND educational, and am looking forward to seeing what solutions we start getting (and how soon)! 

I'll post more details about Challenge #1 and its solution(s) once the Friday submission deadline passes (or earlier if all the teams submit far enough ahead of time). Until then.... GAME ON!

PS: In case you couldn't tell, I think this is so awesome, and I am very proud and excited... Have I ever mentioned I have the best job ever?