The ATOMEX project’s learning game received an enthusiastic response at an international Arctic conference in Norway

The ATOMEX project was presented at the High North Dialogue conference in Bodø, Norway, at the end of April. The conference focused on Arctic security and resilience. During the presentation, students and experts had the opportunity to explore a learning game on nuclear safety in the Arctic maritime environment that was developed under Laurea’s leadership.

The learning game is aimed at maritime rescue and radiation authorities as well as students in the security field. Its purpose is particularly to introduce players to the basic principles of maritime rescue operations during a radiological emergency and to familiarize authorities with each other’s operating practices. This helps ensure that joint exercises can be initiated more smoothly and efficiently through better preparation. The learning game consists of three scenarios set in an Arctic environment and involving vessels operating there: a cargo ship, a floating nuclear power plant, and a nuclear-powered icebreaker. The game is designed for the Finnish browser-based Seppo.io platform and can be played on both computers and smartphones.

After the presentation, conference participants had the opportunity to test the game and ask its developers questions. The game received an enthusiastic response from the audience, and gameplay was seen as an engaging way to maintain interest while learning new knowledge. The Norwegian public broadcaster NRK also covered the event in its local news, focusing in particular on gamification as an innovative approach to enhance the radiation safety skills of maritime rescue personnel and the maritime rescue expertise of nuclear safety authorities.

ATOMEX (Collaboration Complexity in Nuclear Emergency Preparedness in the Maritime Arctic) is a project funded by the Research Council of Norway that aims to strengthen radiation and nuclear safety preparedness as well as risk assessment capabilities in rescue operations in the Arctic maritime environment. In addition to Laurea University of Applied Sciences, the project partners include Nord University, the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA), and the Fraunhofer Center for Maritime Logistics and Services. The game’s visual concept was developed by Laurea’s team and brought to life by graphic designer Jukka Fordell. The game was built on the Finnish Seppo.io platform.