December 4, 2018
Engineering Extension Kansas Energy Program Debuts “Escape Room” Based on Energy Efficiency
Always looking for a fun and innovative way to reinforce principles in energy efficiency, the Kansas Energy Program within K-State Engineering Extension has developed an “escape” or “breakout” room based solely on energy efficiency.
After several practice runs, the energy-efficiency escape room made its professional debut at the Region 7 Pollution Prevention Roundtable November 14. Two teams tested their wits against the room – one team made it “out” with 9:05 to spare and the other team was unsuccessful.
The Kansas Energy Program designed the escape room as part of an agreement with the Kansas Corporation Commission to provide energy education to K-12 schools in Kansas. A self-contained kit, the room is actually portable and can be set up in any location. The kit comes with all required equipment, set-up instructions and clues that ultimately lead to breaking the last code and “escaping” the room.
Although prior knowledge of energy-efficiency principles is not required to successfully complete the exercise, the escape room is intended to reinforce or complement curricula already being taught in the classroom. As such, clues are based on observation, logic, mathematics and scientific measurements.
The escape room can also be used outside of the classroom for 4-H groups, scout troops and student groups, or even as a fun team-building activity for professionals. For additional details, contact the Kansas Energy Program at ksenergyprog@ksu.edu, or 785-532-6026.