thinking outside the box BreakOut EDU

What is BreakOutEDU? Breakout EDU is based on Escape Rooms, so what are Escape Rooms? These escape rooms are popping up all over the place. These are themed rooms you get locked in and have to solve a series of clues, usually cryptic, to breakout of the room. Throughout the process you have to find hidden clues, unlock various padlocks and more. i.e. Wichita Room Escape

Overview Video Only play this video if you are introducing the concept of Breakout EDU to a a group of people playing for the first time. Not intended for teachers to use with students.

5 Tips for Success You are working together as one team The better you communicate and collaborate the more successful you will be If you solve a puzzle, make sure the rest of your team knows Come together intermittently to review what you know Decide as a team when to use your hint cards Make sure you explain any places in the room that are off limits (maybe the teacher’s desk, book shelves). Also, be sure to explain any special locks that the players may have an issue with. For example, many first time players have never encountered a directional lock before and need to know how to reset it in order to try another combination.

Hint Cards The hints cards allow the players to work to their frustration level, but not beyond. At any point in the game when the players get stuck or frustrated they can ask for a hint. As the facilitator you can decide how much information you want to give them. It is important that you are familiar with the game and know how all the puzzles are solved so that you can provide effective hints. If you don’t know the game, go back to the game page (breakotuedu.com/games) and watch the video for that game. Here’s a blog post with different perspectives on the role of the hint cards.

“It’s time for something different.” Let’s BreakOut…

STORY You and your colleagues believed you were at a professional development class when you realized that something seemed a bit off. The presenter, Dr. Johnson, stepped out of his room to lead a session down the hall and your friend Sarah decided to take a peek at what the professor was working on at his desk. You and your colleagues discover that Dr. Johnson has plans to unleash a deadly airborne virus that would turn anyone who came into contact with it into a zombie.  However, you also learn that the doctor has created an antidote that can reverse the symptoms. He plans to save it for himself and family.   You have 45 minutes to find the antidote and save the world.

Hint Cards: Two available!!! TIME to Breakout!!!

Debriefing:

The BreakOut Box

Open Source Box

The Games Standard Games - follow consistent template; vetted by the Breakout EDU community Sandbox Game - not yet published in the official directory Search Feature: content area, age range, group size, game types. Over 300 games Templates to create your own games. By submitting your games you can acquire Breakout EDU swag; t-shirts, locks, boxes etc.

Create Your Own Games

Resources Breakout EDU www.breakoutedu.com Sign up and a password will pop-up Breakout EDU Digital www.breakoutedu.com/digital Facebook- great community Search- breakout EDU Other site www.theescapeclassroom.com Twitter #BreakoutEDU Pinterest (search breakout edu, escape room) Sabrina Watkins swatkins@goddardusd.com