You might have heard of the LEGO Reproducibility Game, which has gained popularity within the Open Science community for illustrating the challenges of reproducible research. Building on this idea, we developed our own version — a quick and easy-to-set-up activity designed to spark curiosity and initiate conversations about reproducibility.
In science, reproducibility is the backbone of trust. If another researcher uses the same data and methods, they should be able to get the same results. But in reality, that is not always the case. Missing steps in documentation, vague instructions, or unshared data can lead to failed reproduction attempts and slow down scientific progress.
Instead of just talking about this problem, we decided to make it playable.
The Pentomino Reproducibility Game was developed for the Open Science Ambassadors Meeting 2025 of the Max Planck Society. The game transforms abstract concepts of reproducible research into a fun, collaborative puzzle activity. It is designed for one instructor and up to four participants, and is intended for workshop settings, training sessions, or research group meetings, providing a flexible and interactive format.
What are pentominoes?
Pentominoes are geometric puzzle pieces, each made up of five equal-sized squares connected edge to edge.
What does the game consist of?
The game set includes several components designed to simulate different aspects of the research and publication process. These include:
- An instruction sheet, outlining the overall setup and sequence of play;
- Supportive templates representing six different animal figures that serve as reference “research results”;
- A “Journal” page and a “Codebook” page, which help structure the documentation and communication between players;
- A complete set of 12 pentomino blocks, each consisting of five connected squares.
A short video demonstration on how to set up the instruction sheet
How is it played?
To begin, form a group of two to five players. From this group, one person takes on the role of instructor, who acts as the original “author.” The instructor is the only participant allowed to view all game materials before the session starts. They read the instruction sheet aloud and provide the players with the necessary materials and tasks as described in the instructions.
Learning Outcomes
By participating in the game, players gain a deeper understanding of why transparent and consistent documentation is essential in scientific research. They also experience the common obstacles that can prevent reproducibility, such as missing details or unclear communication.
Beyond these technical lessons, the game encourages reflection on the role of collaboration in science. Participants see how discussing methods, clarifying assumptions, and giving constructive feedback contribute to more reliable results. Finally, the game creates a tangible link between playful problem-solving and real-world scientific practice, helping researchers internalize abstract concepts in an engaging and memorable way.
Open Science Ambassadors Meeting 2025 in Harnack House, Berlin.
If you are interested in implementing this game within your research group, the README and materials file are openly accessible for download and use. We welcome your feedback and reflections via osip [at] mpdl [dot] mpg [dot] de.
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