Kicker: The Christmas card caper

MARY REICHARD, HOST: The U-K’s spy agency is known as the GCHQ, the Government Communications Headquarters. It’s not just a bunch of cool nerds over there. They like to have some fun!

For 9 years running, GCHQ’s put out a Christmas greeting card with tough puzzles to solve, aimed at kids 11-18. The ulterior motive is to pique interest in STEM careers. (science, technology, engineering and math.)

Listen to YouTuber Mr. Pashler deciphering this year’s puzzle:

PASHLER: You’ll notice that the dots all around the map, uh, map onto Morse Code. If I decode the Morse Code, it says…

(interrupt him) Uh-uh! Oh no no…you’ll have to decode that for yourself! You can download the challenge and solve it for yourself at GCHQ.gov.UK.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: As always, should you or any of your IM force be caught, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions. This tape will self-destruct in five seconds…

It’s The World and Everything in It.

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