European dimension
30 years of Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.
This anniversary is a chance to connect each ERNEST activity with a wider European story: research that travels across borders, reaches new audiences, and turns public engagement into a shared cultural moment.
Through the European Researchers' Night and Researchers at School, ERNEST helps make the European dimension of science visible in local events, classrooms, public spaces, and conversations with citizens.
What the project does
Science communication is built as an adventure.
From concepts to experiences
ERNEST brings physics and astronomy to life through immersive escape rooms. Participants tackle challenges inspired by scientific methods, space exploration, light, matter, and the universe itself.
Each experience is crafted to make research accessible, hands-on, and unforgettable — offering a playful yet meaningful way to engage with scientific thinking.
Who it is for
The project welcomes children, teenagers, adults, families, schools, and curious visitors who want to encounter science in a lively and collaborative format.
Where and when
ERNEST escape rooms can be installed across different contexts, with a special role during the European Researchers' Night and other public science engagement events. Follow us for details on the different events.
Discover more
The story behind ERNEST—from idea to impact.
Click below to explore more, and continue expanding the content as the project develops.
About ERNEST
The Project Behind the Game
Read the full project narrative, its mission, working method, and the impact ERNEST aims to create through science communication.
Open the project pagePlay & Explore
Find your favorite one
Browse all participating escape rooms, compare their characteristics, and filter them by audience, theme, city, language, and format.
Explore the roomsMeet the Team
The Network
Discover the institutions behind the project and the members gallery.
See the networkWhy escape rooms
They make research participatory, social, and unforgettable.
Learning through action
Puzzles become gateways to scientific thinking, turning problem-solving into discovery.
Research in public space
Labs and observatories are transformed into accessible, engaging experiences for everyone.
Events with impact
ERNEST helps universities connect with audiences beyond the classroom, bringing research into the public sphere.
Participating universities
A network of institutions working together on science engagement.
Get a fuller overview of roles, institutions, and team members on the dedicated network page.
Events programme
Upcoming opportunities to step inside ERNEST.
Explore upcoming ERNEST events — programme details and registration links will appear as new activities are confirmed.
September 2026
European Researchers' Night
Flagship public event featuring ERNEST escape room experiences for broad audiences.
Autumn 2026
Researchers at School Session
School activities include teacher training, co-creation workshops, and researcher-led escape room experiences that engage students in scientific investigation, problem-solving, and collaborative learning
Winter 2026
Researchers at School Session
A traveling escape room format tailored for secondary school audiences and teachers.
Photo gallery
A look into our workshops, installations, and public engagement.
A selection of moments captured across recent workshops and public events.
