Host Satellite Signal Desk

The satellite desk received a coded message, a damaged copy and three operator records. Use the printed evidence to choose the valid call-sign card. Collect five named badge digits and use the final sheet. Every clue is on the table; ask the host for one hint at a time.

Before you start

Print one player pack and two record sheets per team. Keep the host answers and all three hint levels with the adult.Keep every clue as a full sheet at one table. Put the final sheet face down until all five results are recorded. Nothing needs cutting, folding or hiding.Give each child a pencil. Choose a reader, recorder and checker, and swap jobs after each clue. Use one team for 2–4 children or two teams for 5–6.

Team

Clue check & hints

1. Message

Mark this clue complete

Hint 1

Use the letter under each named shape.

Hint 2

The first two shapes give B then E. Decode the remaining shapes the same way.

Hint 3

Write BE first, then one letter per remaining shape. Choose the table row matching the whole message.

Reveal host answer

The decoded word is BEAM; its row gives 4.

2. Copy

Mark this clue complete

Hint 1

Compare position 1 with position 1, not with a nearby matching shape.

Hint 2

Position 1 is one difference: heart in A, hexagon in B. Mark it once.

Hint 3

Compare the remaining numbered pairs one by one. Add one mark for each unequal pair, then count all your marks.

Reveal host answer

Different positions are 1, 4, 6. There are 3 differences.

3. Operator

Mark this clue complete

Hint 1

No item can belong to two people. Cross out each forbidden pairing.

Hint 2

Orion cannot have two items, so Orion must have Dish.

Hint 3

Cross Dish off for the other two people. Apply the last NOT rule, then find Lyra's item.

Reveal host answer

Nova has Panel; Orion has Dish; Lyra has Relay. Lyra's item gives 7.

4. Battery

Mark this clue complete

Hint 1

Loose units are not parcels. Every parcel has equal weight.

Hint 2

Remove 4 loose units from 12. That leaves 8 for the equal parcels.

Hint 3

Share 8 equally among 2 parcels. Substitute one parcel's weight into the second rule.

Reveal host answer

Remove 4 from 12; share 8 among 2 parcels to get 4. Check 2 x 4 + 3 = 11.

5. Channel

Mark this clue complete

Hint 1

Columns A–D run left to right. Rows 1–3 run top to bottom.

Hint 2

The first coordinate B3 means column B, row 3. Its letter is B.

Hint 3

Begin with B, then read C1, D2, A1 in order. Use the complete word's conversion row.

Reveal host answer

B3, C1, D2, A1 reads BEAM. The conversion table gives 7.

6. Final

Mark this clue complete

Hint 1

Keep all five named badge results beside this sheet.

Hint 2

Use C1=Message, C2=Copy, C3=Operator, C4=Battery, C5=Channel.

Hint 3

Each wrong record differs in just one column. Cross out all five wrong records, then copy the complete remaining code.

Reveal host answer

02107

Only Record A matches all five columns. Copy its printed code 02107.

Suggested timeline

3 minutes: Read the story, show the badge record and choose roles.
4 minutes: Solve Message. Offer one hint level at a time if wanted.
3 minutes: Solve Copy. Offer one hint level at a time if wanted.
6 minutes: Solve Operator. Offer one hint level at a time if wanted.
5 minutes: Solve Battery. Offer one hint level at a time if wanted.
5 minutes: Solve Channel. Offer one hint level at a time if wanted.
5 minutes: Use the five results on the final sheet.
2 minutes: Read the ending and thank each teammate.

Pause whenever the group needs a break. This is a planning estimate.