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How to Play

Preliminary Note

This game is designed as a collaborative experience to explore the scales of the Universe, from the infinitely small to the infinitely large, through the scientific discoveries made over the centuries.

The presence of a competent facilitator is essential.

The facilitator must have some background in physics, or at least be familiar with the scientific concepts featured on the cards. They play a key role in:

  • supporting the exchanges between players;
  • ensuring the scientific accuracy of the discussions;
  • answering questions or stimulating curiosity;
  • helping to draw connections between the depicted phenomena.

How a Session of Physics on the Infinity Canvas Works

⏱️ Plan for approximately 3 hours of activity to complete a full exploration of the Canvas, including time for reading, discussion, card placement, and a final exchange.

Required Materials

  • One deck of cards for Physics on the Infinity Canvas:
    The main deck is essential. It can be enriched with complementary cards that deepen specific scientific themes.

  • A playing surface about 1.5 m × 4 m, adapted to postcard-sized cards (a smaller surface if using smaller cards).
    This surface should be writable (whiteboard, large kraft paper sheet, etc.).
    A vertical display surface is strongly recommended for better readability.

  • Writing tools for marking on the surface (markers, pens, etc.).

  • A facilitator and a group of players (ideally 5 to 10 people).

  • (Optional): magnets, push pins, sticky dots, or repositionable labels to attach the cards.

Step-by-Step Session

1. Introduction by the Facilitator

The facilitator begins by introducing the Canvas and the goals of the activity.
They hand out two sets of introductory cards:

  • The Scales of the Canvas
  • The Timeline of the Canvas

These cards serve as reference points for the rest of the activity.
Players read them aloud, then place the "scale" cards, face up, on the surface to build a positioning grid for the rest of the Canvas.
This helps players familiarize themselves with the scales and temporal notations used.

2. Card Distribution

The facilitator distributes a predifined set of cards from the main deck to the players.

Each player reads aloud the general descriptive section of their card.

  • The Hint section can be used if players struggle to position a card or draw connections.
  • The Go further section is intended for curious minds wishing to dive deeper.

3. Discussion and Positioning

Players collaborate to:

  • Estimate the position of each card on the scale axis (vertical) and the timeline (horizontal);
  • Justify their choices using prior knowledge or logical reasoning from the card text;
  • Establish connections—logical or scientific—between the already-placed cards and the new ones;
  • Reposition cards if necessary to improve overall coherence.

4. Progressive Addition of Cards

Once a batch is processed, the facilitator distributes a new batch.
The process repeats:

  • reading aloud,
  • group discussion,
  • positioning on the Canvas,
  • adjustments as needed.

Players must take into account the cards already on the board, helping build a coherent whole.

5. Completing the Canvas

The Canvas is considered complete once all main deck cards have been explored and positioned.

The facilitator then leads a collective discussion, to:

  • revisit standout cards;
  • reflect on the overall structure and connections made;
  • discuss the scientific concepts addressed;
  • compare scales and timeframes explored;
  • encourage continued reflection or further exploration.

At this point, the facilitator can offer one or more complementary card sets to enrich the Canvas and spark new discussions.
These cards expand the conversation around science through cross-cutting themes.
The facilitator selects the set(s) based on the audience, available time, or the central theme of the session.

Themes for complementary cards include:

  • Big open questions in science: what we still don't know.
  • Scientists behind major discoveries.
  • Women in the history of science.
  • Scientific instruments that enabled breakthroughs.
  • Technologies stemming from fundamental research.
  • Science fiction, bridging imagination and scientific anticipation.

These cards may be integrated into the Canvas or discussed separately, depending on session objectives.

Quick Play Version: Canvas Quiz

⏱️ A Canvas Quiz session is designed to introduce Physics on the Infinity Canvas in a short format, lasting about 30 to 60 minutes.

Required Materials

  • Two card decks for Physics on the Infinity Canvas:
  • The main deck (Canvas cards)

  • The complementary cards (used here as prompt cards)

  • A playing surface about 2 m × 3 m, sized for postcard-format cards.
    This surface must be writable (whiteboard, kraft paper, etc.).
    Using a vertical display surface is highly recommended for better visibility.

  • Writing tools (markers, pens, etc.).

  • One facilitator and a group of players (ideally 5 to 10 participants).

  • (Optional): magnets, push pins, sticky dots, or repositionable labels to hold the cards.

Facilitator's Setup

Before the session begins, the facilitator:

  1. Builds a partial Canvas by positioning cards from the main deck on the board.

    • Cards should be visible, but no annotations or connections should be marked.

  2. Makes a second identical deck available so participants can consult the card texts freely without handling those already placed on the Canvas.

  3. Selects a few complementary cards to serve as entry points for exploring the Canvas.

Quiz Gameplay

  1. The facilitator gives each participant (or small group) a entry points, or lets them choose one.

    • These cards act as triggers to explore the Canvas through a question, a scientist, a tool, etc.

  2. Participants analyze their entry card and formulate hypotheses:

    • Which Canvas cards are related to this topic?
    • What scientific milestones were needed to reach this point?
    • What underlying concepts are involved?

  3. Participants explore the Canvas, drawing logical or historical links with the placed cards.

    • They may follow a step-by-step progression, starting from their prompt card.

  4. The facilitator supports the process by:

    • Guiding the discussion and challenging reasoning,
    • Providing scientific insights during the exploration,
    • Highlighting historical, technical, or conceptual chains that led to the discovery mentioned in the prompt card.

Facilitator's Pedagogical Freedom

Once familiar with the Canvas and the scientific concepts it presents,
the facilitator is free to explore alternative formats or educational activities using the provided material.

For example, they can:

  • host debates centered around specific cards,
  • propose a chronological ordering of discoveries,
  • lead role-playing games featuring historical scientists,
  • or even use the Canvas as a springboard for interdisciplinary reflection (philosophy, society, arts...).

Physics on the Infinity Canvas is above all a tool for exploration and knowledge-sharing, adaptable to many creative approaches.