Carbon Cycle
The Carbon Challenge!
An augmented reality game where visitors use physical blocks to build a virtual island and learn how balancing carbon sources and sinks can achieve a carbon neutral environment.
Brief
The Science Museum wanted an innovative way to bring the carbon cycle to life. The challenge was to turn an abstract, invisible process into something visitors could see, touch, and play with — while remaining scientifically accurate, engaging, and durable enough for a busy, permanent gallery space.
Our Approach
We took on the project from concept to final installation, working closely with the Museum’s teams to design an experience that blended physical interaction with augmented reality. Each printed block represented a carbon source or sink, and our custom image recognition software translated visitors’ choices into a living virtual island.
Alongside developing the core idea, we handled user experience design, illustration, and animation, ensuring the science was accurate but also intuitive and engaging for all ages. We engineered the hardware and physical components to withstand high visitor volumes, while calibrating the software for reliable, seamless play. The result was an exhibit robust enough for daily use, yet light and playful in spirit.
By combining tangible blocks with AR, we created an experience where climate science isn’t just explained — it’s played, tested, and discovered.
Our Solution
The finished installation invited visitors to step into the role of environmental decision-makers. By placing and removing physical blocks on a grid, they could build their own island and watch it evolve in real time on screen. Each choice — whether adding forests, industries, or energy sources — directly affected the island’s carbon output. The challenge was to balance these elements to achieve a carbon-neutral environment.
Real-time feedback guided players through the impact of their decisions, showing how natural and human processes contribute to global emissions. With endless combinations and replayable scenarios, the experience encouraged experimentation and discovery. By combining tangible play with AR, we transformed climate science into something families could explore together — accessible, memorable, and fun.
“A controversial subject has been demystified in an entertaining way.” Janet Street-Porter, Independent on Sunday