Earth Day Escape Room - 6th 7th 8th Grade Science Activity

The Earth Day escape room is an immersive experience for your middle school students. It allows them to learn about Earth Day concepts, such as recycling, reducing, reusing, and composting, in a fun and engaging way. This one is perfect to do on Earth Day, April 22nd.

Students should have basic knowledge of:

• recycling, reducing, reusing, and composting

A Unique Escape Room Experience:

Unlike many escape rooms, the teacher is in total control on which of the 8 puzzles they want to use and in which order to use them. Each puzzle is independent of the others. This is great for shorter or longer class periods.

The Challenge:

The local Gardening Foundation volunteers are very excited for their big Earth Day event. They have trees, flowers, and shrubs they were planning to plant in a local park. Unfortunately, the head of the organization was called away on emergency business. She left a well-hidden key to the trailer with all the plants so that no one would get unauthorized access. Sadly, that means the volunteers also can’t get to the plants. Never fear! Before she left, she left a series of clues to reveal the location of the key. Only a true Earth Day enthusiast will be able to solve these clues and help gain access to the plants for Earth Day. Can you help?

Watch the video preview above.

What Materials Will I Need for Classroom Use?

The escape room can be run in several different ways. The cheapest and easiest method for classroom use is to place the puzzles in manila envelopes (all directions provided).

For a more authentic escape room each group will need the following:

• One Lockout Hasp
• 3, 4-digit locks
• 1, 3-digit lock
• UV pen/light (cheap on Amazon)
• One storage box that includes a place for the lockout hasp

Both methods will need the following:

• All printed materials from the puzzles chosen
• Manila envelopes (used for each of the puzzles)

Two Options for Online Use

You can assign the “Single Student Digital Version” PowerPoint through email or your school's learning management system. This file has no answers and students solve by reading and answering questions or manipulating images on the slide.

This version can also be uploaded to Google Drive and opened with Google Slides.

• Open Google Slides.
• Go to the File menu and choose Open
• Find the tab on the right called Upload
• Click Select a File on Your Device
• Select the “Single Student Digital Version Digital Version”
• Click Open

If you do make Google slides, the copyright only allows for use with your own students. Do not share the link publicly.

You can also assign or email the Single Student Print Version as a PPT or PDF for families to print at home. Again, the copyright only allows sharing with your own students, not on public websites or school-wide servers.

What's Included in the Product?

- Teacher directions

- Detailed answer key for each puzzle

- NEW for 2020: Single Student Digital Version PPT that can be uploaded into Google Slides

- NEW for 2020: Single Student Print Version in PPT and PDF for families to print at home

- NEW for 2020: Editable Teacher Version PPT

- Digital answer sheet (Google form) that is great for 1:1 or Google Classrooms. Replaces paper answer key if you choose.

- Video challenge to set the mood for the challenge

- 8 unique puzzles with all printable props

- A list of over 50 ideas for prizes

- Reward templates

- 30 unique signs to hold up for the picture at the end (plus, editable template)

Your students will be talking about this one for weeks!