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Decode a signal

Ages 8–10 · Est. 35–50 minutes · 2–6 players

Inventor Relay Assembly

Each recovered pulse may turn several dials, so every test record matters. Work together to configure the relay machine.

6 clues, gradual hints and a complete paper finish. Choose a reader, a recorder and a checker, then work through the mission together.

Get your printable packPlay on screen

See every player clue ↓

Inventor Relay Assembly: Each signal means one different word. Use the training examples to recover the legend. Words marked "any order" may be swapped; compare shared signals across cards. Decode the received message from left to right.

Your mission

Work together to configure the relay machine.

Welcome to the inventor relay bench. Each recovered pulse may turn several dials, so every test record matters. Your team has the original records on the table. First recover five pieces of information, then use the final plan to configure the relay machine. Keep every result beside its badge so another teammate can check your reasoning.

How your team will think

Infer a one-to-one legend and apply recovered instructions to a control panel.

Write each recovered instruction beside its signal. Keep the legend and the panel’s starting settings visible as you apply the instructions and check the final configuration.

Set up in one room

  1. Print the six player sheets and two record sheets for each team. Keep answers and hints with the host.
  2. Lay out Unlabelled legend, Part labels, the remaining clue sheets and the final plan. All task records are printed inside the sheets; no extra prop is needed.
  3. After each clue, pass roles one seat clockwise. With two players, combine Reader with Recorder and Checker with Builder. With five or six, add a second checker and a source finder; everyone explains one decision.

Bring to the table

  • One complete player set and record set per team
  • One pencil per child
  • One adult host with the answer and hint pages

Print and sorting checklist · Plan the player roles

Ages and durations are design estimates. Choose the pace and reading support that suit your group.

Look before you print

See all 6 player clues

These are the actual figures and instructions from the player pack. Read the final page’s rule along with the earlier clues.

Clue 1 of 6

Signal

Each signal means one different word. Use the training examples to recover the legend. Words marked "any order" may be swapped; compare shared signals across cards. Decode the received message from left to right.

Inventor Relay Assembly: Each signal means one different word. Use the training examples to recover the legend. Words marked "any order" may be swapped; compare shared signals across cards. Decode the received message from left to right.
Read this clue in text

Unlabelled legend Signals: DOT, BAR, ARC. Words: LEFT, HOLD, RIGHT. Each signal has one word; each word is used once. Training messages DOT+BAR means HOLD+LEFT (any order) BAR+ARC means HOLD+RIGHT (any order) DOT+ARC means LEFT+RIGHT (any order) Received message BAR > ARC Report decoded words in order, with hyphens.

Clue 2 of 6

Record

Use the part labels and test ledger to follow the completed record. Match printed keys, then report the requested field. A planned or cancelled entry cannot prove a move.

Inventor Relay Assembly: Use the part labels and test ledger to follow the completed record. Match printed keys, then report the requested field. A planned or cancelled entry cannot prove a move.
Read this clue in text

Part labels item: Coil | tag: PINE | status: checked item: Lever | tag: WAVE | status: cancelled item: Cam | tag: STAR | status: draft Test ledger tag: STAR | bay: NORTH tag: PINE | bay: EAST tag: WAVE | bay: WEST Cross-check Match A.tag to B.tag. A.status is not cancelled. A.status is not draft. Report B.bay.

Clue 3 of 6

Builder

Builder desk: Each person has ONE different item. Use all four NOT rules. Find Xin's item and copy its digit.

Inventor Relay Assembly: Builder desk: Each person has ONE different item. Use all four NOT rules. Find Xin's item and copy its digit.
Read this clue in text

Lever digit 4 Wheel digit 7 Relay digit 0 People: Dee, Mo, Xin Dee does NOT have Lever. Mo does NOT have Wheel. Mo does NOT have Relay. Xin does NOT have Wheel. Find Xin's item. Each item is used once.

Clue 4 of 6

Diagram

Diagram desk: Compare the two records at matching numbered positions. Count different pairs once each; ignore box outlines.

Inventor Relay Assembly: Diagram desk: Compare the two records at matching numbered positions. Count different pairs once each; ignore box outlines.
Read this clue in text

Strip A: square, circle, star, diamond, heart, cross, hexagon, triangle. Strip B: square, diamond, star, diamond, hexagon, cross, hexagon, circle. Compare the same numbered position.

Clue 5 of 6

Test

Test desk: Decode all shapes in message order. Repeated shapes repeat their letter. Convert the full word using the table.

Inventor Relay Assembly: Test desk: Decode all shapes in message order. Repeated shapes repeat their letter. Convert the full word using the table.
Read this clue in text

Key: square means T; circle means E; star means S. Message: square, circle, star, square. Conversion: TEST means 1; GEAR means 4; RAIL means 7.

Clue 6 of 6

Final

Use the five results to select five pulse cards. Start at the recorded dial states. Add all selected turns for each dial and follow its loop: 0, 1, 2, then 0 again. Report the final state of dials A through E.

Inventor Relay Assembly: Use the five results to select five pulse cards. Start at the recorded dial states. Add all selected turns for each dial and follow its loop: 0, 1, 2, then 0 again. Report the final state of dials A through E.
Read this clue in text

Control panel Dial order: A, B, C, D, E. States: 0 > 1 > 2 (loop). Start: A2 / B0 / C1 / D2 / E0. Pulse cards (turns in dial order) Signal: LEFT-HOLD=(1,2,0,0,0); HOLD-RIGHT=(2,1,0,0,0) Record: EAST=(0,1,0,2,0); NORTH=(0,2,0,1,0) Builder: 4=(0,0,1,2,0); 0=(0,0,2,1,0) Diagram: 3=(1,0,0,2,0); 0=(2,0,0,1,0) Test: 4=(1,0,0,0,2); 1=(2,0,0,0,1) Setting rule Add every chosen pulse. Move around each dial loop. Report dial ID + state, in order, with hyphens.

Start after: Signal, Record, Builder, Diagram, Test

A different kind of mystery next

Keep the habit of sharing evidence and try a new reasoning task.