Train the Trainers workshop at CERN IdeaSquare
The IdeaSquare team at CERN recently held a TECH2X Train the Trainers workshop, in which they invited educators from Middle East Technical University (METU) to observe and receive training on the IdeaSquare Planet (i2Planet) methodology.
The IdeaSquare Planet (i2Planet) methodology is a disruptive educational approach developed at CERN’s innovation space (IdeaSquare) that teaches students how to broach complex, “wicked” challenges by imagining life on an exoplanet. It is designed to foster systems-thinking, creativity, and multidisciplinary collaboration. In the first half of i2Planet, students embark on a journey to tackle complex challenges in an imaginary environment that gives freedom to innovate without the social constructs already existing on Earth. The second half of the programme is focused on taking the ideas back to a real-world context focusing on current challenges, such as droughts and accessible healthcare.
Key aspects of the i2Planet methodology include:
- Imaginary Scenario (Planet Y): Students, typically in teams of 5-6, face a scenario where they must build a new society on an imaginary exoplanet, dealing with extreme resource constraints and environmental challenges.
- “Terraforming” Approach: The method is inspired by “terraforming” concepts, where students explore new ways of thinking about survival, societal organization, and technology.
- Multidisciplinary Approach: Teams consist of students from diverse backgrounds (e.g., engineering, physics, law, business, design) to create a comprehensive understanding of complex issues.
- “Back-to-Earth” Application: After developing solutions for the exoplanet, participants must translate these lessons to solve current, real-world issues (such as sustainability or pollution).
- Core Skills Trained: The methodology focuses on managing high levels of uncertainty, rapid decision-making, “back-of-the-envelope” calculations (orders of magnitude estimation), and challenging established assumptions.
The goal is to prepare students to be innovative changemakers able to understand how to approach complex issues, emerging technologies, and their relation to society.
Consortium partner, the Technische Hochschule Mannheim, brought students from various faculties to build a sustainable society on Planet Y, and formed the basis of the observational training component. The train-the-trainers workshop focused on constructing immersive narratives that encourage creativity, systems thinking, and evidence-based decision making. We also examined how motivation, psychological safety, and behavioral feedback loops in self-managed teams are supported by facilitators in I2Planet. Through practical exercises and reflective discussions, attendees learned how to adapt the framework to their own institutions and curricula. The workshop highlighted the importance of moving beyond conventional teaching models toward experiential education that prepares learners for uncertainty and innovating around wicked problems.