CAS Conference 2024: How a school ‘escape room’ boosts computing - and more

Could your school create its very own escape room?

That’s what teacher Rob Easton did when he built a unique escape room at his school in Kent. It’s proved to be a real hit and while Rob's escape room is great fun, it also has educational and social benefits at his school. 

Rob, who is head of computing at The Folkestone School for Girls in Kent, explained how he created the escape room, and why it's been such a success.

Rob, who has been a teacher for more than 30 years, said his escape room idea began as an idea to help raise the profile of computing as a subject.

He spotted the potential of a disused office room at the school and persuaded the school's head teacher to allow him to turn it into an escape room.

“Many escape rooms have a theme, but at their core they're always about problem solving, usually with three or 4IN depth problems to be solved- whether that's unlocking a padlock or solving a puzzle to access another room or a prize,” said Rob.

For anyone unfamiliar with escape rooms, think of the hit TV game show ‘Crystal Maze’ where contestants face challenges ranging from brain-teaser puzzles to tests of teamwork, in order to escape.

Rob was determined to create an experience based on real physical activities and his escape room involves the discovery of a ‘secret room’ with a doorway hidden behind a fireplace.

“I wanted to make sure that this was not about solving worksheet problems – which are familiar to many students,” said Rob. “It involves real tasks. The challenges are all unique and students have to figure out things for themselves. They complete the escape room as groups of four or five and have no choice but to work together.”

Rob, can watch their progress via a screen – and supply clues and ‘pointers’ via print-outs on an old receipt machine.

“It can be quite fascinating to witness their thought process and the  ‘light bulb moments’. Often I hear a student say; ‘I can't figure this out, I'm so stupid,’ then a few minutes later they say ‘I've got it! I'm so clever!’” he said.

Some of the challenges involve a eyesight test with a hidden message, another involves colour-coded numerical problem-solving. There's a magnetic jigsaw puzzle QR code that needs to be fitted together.

“We've used the schools Makey Makey invention kit to create a challenge which involves holding hands too and allow an electric current to flow and reveal a message. If they break the link the message disappears,” he explained.

Rob initially intended that his escape room would be for GCSE and A Level students, but his headteacher encouraged him to open it to the whole school, and it’s proved to be popular with all year groups.

“It takes our Y7 to Y9s around an hour to complete it, the older year groups are a bit faster.”

The escape room is an activity which forms part of Folkestone girls grammar school’s fortnightly timetabled enrichment activities and is also bookable for older students as a resource. 

“Our sixth form students, also run sessions at the escape room, which is a great way of building up that confidence and relationships with the younger years. The escape room is also available to book during lunch times providing an entertaining and social space for the students. It's great to see students laughing together.

“There are lots of fun little details. For instance, we secured a receipt printer which means we can send students a message, a little nudge in the right direction if they're finding the puzzles challenging.

“The original reason for creating the escape room was to promote computing as a subject, but now it's a big talking point for the whole school. It's great to hear prospective students and parents touring the school and say ‘Wow! I wasn't expecting this.’ It’s a real talking point.

“There are lots of educational benefits, it's about problem solving and putting the students in a situation where they have to make connections themselves. There's also real genuine teamwork involved, which is great for a subject like computing where there can be a tendency for students to work alone. It also tests all sorts of aspects of the curriculum, a little bit of maths and logic. At one point I included some encryption challenges, but these proved a little challenging for the younger years.”

Rob ran a workshop at the CAS Conference 2024 where he shared tips on how to get started and create your own. He’s keen to share his experience and help other teachers and schools, build their own escape room.

Identifying a space is the first step -  that can be office space, a cupboard or disused corner of a school. His headteacher agreed to provide modest funding for studwork and plywood cladding of the office which made the installation of activities and electronics screwed to the wall more straightforward.

“The biggest investment was, of course, my time. It was quite time-consuming initially but now it's much more straightforward” 

Rob is happy to offer his experience and expertise to anyone who would like to create their own escape room, including ‘blueprints’ for various puzzles and problems created using 3D printers. Contact him at reaston@folkestonegirls.kent.sch.uk.

Useful link:

Download the materials from the Rob’s session at CAS Conference 2024 - https://www.computingatschool.org.uk/resources/2024/july/cas-conference-2024-a-school-escape-room-so-much-more-than-problem-solving