Summer Break Escape Room - 6th 7th 8th Grade Science Review Activity

The summer break escape room is an immersive experience for your middle school students. It allows them to demonstrate their knowledge of the lunar cycle, seasons, electromagnetic spectrum, hurricane formation, food webs, energy, dichotomous keys, and logic in a fun and engaging way. This one is perfect to do before summer break.

Student should have knowledge of:

• lunar cycle (infographic provided if you have not taught this concept)
• seasons
• electromagnetic spectrum (infographic provided if you have not taught this concept)
• hurricane formation (infographic provided if you have not taught this concept)
• food webs
• renewable and nonrenewable energy (infographic provided if you have not taught this concept)
• dichotomous keys

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:

Summer break is almost here! Unfortunately, the superintendent of the school system has misplaced all of the grades for the middle school students. Rather than admit his mistake, he wants to send every student to summer school! Thankfully, he had a backup in case he “forgot” the safe place he stored the grades. He left a series of clues for himself to reveal the location. Unfortunately, it has been 40 years since his last science class and his memory is a little rusty. You must prove your ability to think critically, work as a team, and use your science knowledge to solve the series of clues. Solve the clues to get the hidden location of the missing grades! It’s up to you and your team to SAVE THE SUMMER!

What Materials Will I Need?

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

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

• One Lockout Hasp
• 1, 4-digit locks
• 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!