(gr. 6-8)

In this project-based lesson, students collaborate to conceptualize and create their own themed escape room, developing everything from the original storyline and logic puzzles to the physical layout and marketing materials. The challenge culminates in a showcase where teams analyze player performance data to reflect on the effectiveness of their design and problem-solving mechanisms.

💡 Driving Question

Can you design the ultimate escape adventure?

Introduction

• What is an escape room?

• Why do people love them?

Teamwork + puzzles + creativity = FUN!
*(Optional: Show short video clip of a real escape room)

Step 1 – Research

Your Task: Explore examples of escape rooms.

• What themes are common?

• What makes puzzles challenging but fair?
  Student Activity: Complete the Research Reflection Sheet

Step 2 – Theme & Storyline

Your Task: Pick a theme + create your story.

• Theme ideas: Space, Treasure, Haunted House, Spy Mission…

• Give your escape room a Title + Slogan.
  Student Activity: Fill out Theme & Storyline Sheet.

Step 3 – Puzzle Design

Your Task: Design 3+ puzzles for your escape room.

• Puzzle Types: Math codes, riddles, ciphers, STEM challenges, hidden clues.
  Student Activity: Use Puzzle Design Sheets.
  (Differentiation: advanced students may design multi-step puzzle chains).

Step 4 – Room Layout

Your Task: Map out your escape room.

• Where do puzzles go?

• What order do players solve them?
  Student Activity: Draw on Room Layout Sheet.

Step 5 – Recruit Your Team

Your Task: Assign group roles.

• Puzzle Master

• Designer

• Marketer

• Data Analyst
  Student Activity: Record on Team Roles Sheet.

Step 6 – Marketing

Your Task: Create a poster or ad.

• Include logo, slogan, and visuals.
  Student Activity: Design using Marketing Sheet or digital tools (Canva/Slides).

Step 7 – Showcase

Your Task: Share your escape room with others.

• Classmates try your puzzles.

• Observe how players interact with your design.
  Student Activity: Record observations.

Step 8 – Analyze & Reflect

Your Task: Collect data + reflect.

• Success rate (% solved).

• Average escape time.

• Favorite puzzle.
  Student Activity: Fill in Data Analysis Sheet + Final Reflection.

Wrap-Up

• What did you learn about puzzle design?

• What skills improved the most?

• How would you make your escape room even better?

Student Booklet Draft

Cover Page:
“Escape Room Design Project”
(Name / Grade / Teacher) 

Page 1: Research Reflection

• What escape rooms did you research?

• What theme or puzzle stood out?

• Why do people enjoy escape rooms?

Page 2: Theme & Storyline

• My escape room theme is: ___________

• Title: ___________

• Slogan: ___________

• Storyline: (Why are players locked in? What must they solve?)

Page 3–4: Puzzle Design

Puzzle #1: Title / Type / Solution
Puzzle #2: Title / Type / Solution
Puzzle #3: Title / Type / Solution
(optional: expand for advanced students to 4–5 puzzles)

Page 5: Room Layout

Draw/sketch your escape room design. Label puzzles and player flow.

Page 6: Recruit Your Team

Role I chose: ___________
My job is to: ___________
Team reflection: How did you divide the work?

Page 7: Marketing

Design a poster for your escape room.

• Name, slogan, visuals.

• Why should people come play?

Page 8: Showcase Reflection

• What did testers think of your room?

• How long did it take them?

• Which puzzle was easiest/hardest?

Page 9: Data Analysis

• Success rate: ____% of players solved my escape room.

• Average time to escape: ______ minutes.

• Improvements I would make: ____________

Page 10: Final Reflection

• What did you learn about puzzle design?

• What was the most fun part?

• What skill did you grow in the most (math, logic, teamwork, creativity, writing)?