Definiendo los límites de la vida extraterrestre: una experiencia de gamificación e interdisciplinariedad

Abstract

Abstract

This paper describes an interdisciplinary Astrobiology workshop conducted with 30 high school students (first to third year) from various schools in the Valparaíso Region, participating in the Beta PUCV Program. Its main objective was to foster an understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological limits that constrain life in the universe, using gamification as an active learning strategy through a role-playing game. Over twelve sessions, students explored topics ranging from nucleogenesis and prebiotic chemistry to extremophile biology, telescopic observation, the study of biosignatures, and the interpretation of astronomical data to infer the possibility of life beyond Earth. In the game, participants took on the role of interplanetary real estate agents tasked with "selling" planets, moons, or exoplanets to extremophilic organisms, culminating in an elevator pitch. The qualitative, observation-based assessment revealed improvements in participation, collaboration, creativity, and knowledge integration. This approach demonstrates high replicability and impact in non-formal educational settings, promoting interdisciplinarity and the inclusion of frontier disciplines in the classroom, thereby giving meaning and relevance to high school curriculum content.

Keywords: Physics teaching, Astrobiology, Educational innovation, Educational games