Escape Rooms: Capturing Their Attention While Sharing Your Message

Linda Ludwig Information Security Awareness Specialist Grinnell College Grinnell, IA

What is an escape room? Series of puzzles or challenges set within a theme to be tackled by a team. If the challenges are completed within the allotted time, the team wins.

Escape – experience it, here and now Break up into teams There are kits for 15 teams of 4 to 10 people Pick a Team Captain Team Captain will handle solution envelope There is a hint page in the manila folder Use it – it covers common obstacles

Escape Room Kits Each team should have One scenario page with rules One manila envelope One locked envelope One plastic bag labeled “Trash” One solution envelope for Team Captain

Rules You have 20 minutes Everything you need to solve the problems are in the packets The process is not linear The current puzzle(s) may need help from future discoveries. If you are stuck, maybe you have not found all the clues. Multiple puzzles can be worked on simultaneously. Subgroups may work on different puzzles.

Goals Find username Figure out password Find and decrypt top secret file

Any questions before we start?

Advantages of Escape Rooms Fun way to learn Interactive Team building Encourages critical thinking

Participants Since October, 153 attendees Consisting of faculty, staff and students Senior leadership and Senior staff Departments – Dining, Accounting, Development, Academic Support Residence hall staff

Resources – Where I got my ideas FedEx Escape Room handout from their presentation at Security Awareness Summit Escape the Game: How to Make Puzzles and Escape Rooms by Adam Clare and Samet Choudhury

Idea Sources Continued… BreakoutEDU 101 Best Escape Room Puzzle Ideas by now escape Lock Paper Scissors Can You Escape and more from– Microsoft Game store

Ideas can come from anywhere

Where to start Choose a theme Have a pregame room/materials A theme brings the room together and provides justification for the challenges Have a pregame room/materials This sets the stage and builds the suspense Print out of the theme narrative Have clear rules Pregame materials are read before the game

The Setup Think about the flow Things may start slow Have an easy win at the beginning Builds confidence and excitement Test and retest Add hints where necessary

Tips Keep a cheat sheet of puzzles Allow for the use of hints Helpers are useful in keeping things flowing

Organization – Keeping track of the details

Room Setup Posters on wall Pencils in a cup with key hidden at bottom Shredding in small trash can below table Bookmarks hidden in books around room Fake password hidden under the keyboard Computer for logging in USBs

Table Setup and Advantages All clues and puzzles contained in three envelopes Able to run multiple escape rooms at once Very portable Setup is very quick

Supplies Combination Locks Key Locks Invisible ink pens UV flashlights Laminating sheets

Puzzle Ideas Locks Encryptions Logins Hidden items Shredded documents Math problems or counting

More Puzzle Ideas Team activity Light UV, glow in the dark, light patterns Items hidden in plain site Using something in a different way Riddles Mirrors

You can do it! Be creative! Be fearless! Just dive in and give it a try!

Questions? Or Share escape room stories?