Houston Children's Museum launches RFID game

Last November, the Children's Museum of Houston launched the Special Elite Criminal Retrieval and Intelligence Team (SECRET) game. The game requires a group of young visitors aged 6 to 12 to complete a series of tasks that require the participation of parents and children. The game uses passive low-frequency RFID technology to connect game participants and their respective tasks through RFID Wristbands.

Keith T. Ostfeld, the museum’s educational technology and exhibition development manager, said the number of museum members has grown since the game was launched. This is because, after completing one or two tasks, these game participants will want to complete more challenges, and purchasing membership tickets is cheaper than purchasing tickets per visit.

(In the mission briefing booth, the RFID Reader will read the RFID chip on the wristband of SECRET participants)

In each mission, the player's task is to protect an underground crystal that emits strange energy. To achieve this, they need to defeat the RIVAL organization who are trying to steal the crystal.

Ostfeld explained that the purpose of the game itself is to exercise the body and mind. He said: "The game is designed to encourage children to use key skills, including problem solving, observation and logical decision-making. The game includes six tasks in total, involving tasks such as walking through the museum, finding clues, negotiating, solving puzzles and answering questions at information kiosks. .The museum will not inform the task content in advance. Usually, children will solve 1 to 2 tasks when they visit the museum for the first time, and some tasks need to be completed by visiting the museum again. Since this game requires walking in the museum to complete, the game also exercises Body and mind.”

(Each participant wears a wristband with an embedded EM4200 LF 125 kHz RFID chip provided by EM Microelectronics)

First, participants pay $20 for the first task and $10 for each subsequent task. Participants then receive a wristband containing an EM4200 LF 125 kHz RFID chip provided by EM Microelectronics. Each child will also receive a few gadgets such as a magnifying glass and a flashlight.

The game, developed by the Children's Museum of Houston and Schell, includes software that Stores wristband ID numbers and their associated task information. Although the software doesn't collect each participant's name, it does collect answers to three questions—such as "What's your phone number?" This way, kids who lose their wristband can still access their game saves.

After receiving the wristband and gadget, participants can start the game and enter through a locked door. When a child puts their hand on the RFID reader next to the house door, the device reads the wristband ID number and the door automatically opens. Participants can then walk to the task kiosk, read the wristband, and view task information. All readers have built-in Phidgets Phidget RFID printed circuit boards.

Game tasks may involve solving puzzles or walking a laser maze. After completing the first part of the recognition task, participants are eligible to participate in the second part of the task, which tests more mathematical or logical thinking. The museum hopes parents will also participate.

(laser maze)

When completing a task, participants can enter the data required for the next task at the RFID kiosk. This information will be stored within the software along with the wristband ID number. "Each task typically takes 45 minutes to complete," Ostfeld said.

Currently, about 20%-30% of children aged 6 to 12 will participate in SECRET games. Currently, the museum has sold over 3,500 missions.

Ostfeld pointed out that the museum will add more tasks in the future. This will require more RFID kiosks and more requirements on software.