Scientific Method Escape Room Fun Hands-On STEM Activity for Middle & High School

Description

Follow me

Looking for a No Prep Middle School Scientific Method Escape Room? If so, your students will have a blast with this FUN, completely NO-Prep Escape Room! First, your students will read a high-interest passage about Galileo’s famous falling objects experiment at the Tower of Pisa, and learn how he used the scientific method to challenge Aristotle’s long-standing theory. Then, they will use the reading passage to find clues hidden within four engaging and interactive challenges. Each step of the way, the challenges will require students to read carefully, think critically, and apply their knowledge to uncover the correct answers. In addition, answer sheets are included to make checking work easy, and Escape Room coupons provide a fun reward for winners. Ultimately, this resource combines learning, problem-solving, and hands-on fun, making it perfect for middle school science classrooms.

How Does this NO-PREP Escape Room Work?

⭐Students will be presented with an escape room challenge (see below or in the Preview)

⭐Students will then read a 4-page, high-interest reading passage with beautiful color photos

⭐They will answer questions in 4 fun challenges. The answers are found in the 4-page reading passage (no extra content necessary)

⭐As students complete each challenge, they will uncover a digit that will be recorded on the answer sheet

⭐After all 4 challenges are complete, students will have a 4-digit code

⭐The code will be used to “unlock” the “Escape Message”

⭐There are four options for unlocking the “Escape Message”

1. No Prep Option: First, the teacher reveals the message with a paper sign when students present the correct code.
2. Lockbox Option: Alternatively, the message can be placed inside a lockbox with a 4-digit programmable lock (available on Amazon for $4) that can only be unlocked with the correct code. Additionally, a “Congratulations” message and rewards can be placed inside the box ahead of time for extra excitement.
3. Digital Option: Next, students can use the code to unlock a password-protected Google Slide (link provided in teacher instructions). Once unlocked, the slide reveals the “Congratulations” message.
4. QR Code Option: Finally, students scan the QR code image and then use their escape room code to unlock the password-protected Google Slide, allowing them to see the “Congratulations” message digitally.

THE CHALLENGE (abbreviated version of the backstory):

It was a rainy afternoon, and so, Mrs. Thompson’s class was on a field trip to the city’s newest museum exhibit – a Scientific Discoveries Escape Room. Designed by experts in history and science, this exhibit was known to be one of the most exciting and challenging in town.

First, the goal was clear – uncover the truth behind some mysterious documents recently found in a museum in Pisa, Italy. As they progressed, each puzzle they solved brought them closer to unlocking the final piece – a locked box containing Galileo’s last notes. On the box, there was a riddle:

I am what makes apples fall from the tree,
And why you stay grounded, instead of floating free.
I’m the reason you land when you jump in the air,
An unseen force, with power to spare.

The unseen force is _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

Next, the answer can be revealed by using a four-digit code. To solve it, you will use the reading passage that follows, along with the Four Challenges, to determine the code and ultimately reveal the answer.

What’s Included:

• 4-Page, High-Interest Reading Passage about Galileo’s famous experiment dropping spheres off the Tower of Pisa
• 4 Fun, No-Prep Challenges
• Answer Keys to each Challenge
• Answer Sheet for students to record answers
• 4 Unique Escape Room Coupons for winners
• QR Code to reveal the “Escape Room” Message

What’s Unique about this Escape Room:

• No Prep! Unlike many other Escape Room or Crack the Code activities, there is no preparation needed. In other words, you don’t need to stuff envelopes, find locks, find props, decorate or set up any materials. Just print and go!
• Reading Comprehension! The 4-page reading passage contains all the information students will need to answer the questions. No pre-teaching! That makes this activity perfect for substitute lesson plans, fun incentives, activities for after state testing, as well as end of year activities.

More about each Challenge…

1: Matching

• • When students match the words with the answers, their lines that cross through letters. The letters must then be unscrambled to find the clue to the first number in the code.

2: True or False

• • Students answer eight true or false questions. As they answer the questions, they color in (or cross off) “coins” with different values. The coins that are colored in are added together. The sum provides the clue to the second number in the secret code.

3: Multiple Choice

• • Students answer eight multiple choice questions from the reading passage. The answer lead to the third clue in the secret code.

4: Sentence Search

• • Students are give seven sentences from the reading passage. Students much find in which paragraph of the reading passage the sentence is located. The paragraphs without a selected sentence are the clue to the final number of the secret code.

When students successfully complete each challenge, they will end up with a four digit code. If the code is correct, that means they have “Escaped” and successfully completed each challenge.

Uses:

• Scientific Method Activity
• Reading comprehension
• Extra Credit
• Fun Incentive
• Substitute Lesson Plans

Related Resources:

⭐Summer Olympics Escape Room

⭐Barn Owl Escape Room

⭐Escape the Hot School End of the Year Escape Room

⭐Animal Moms Escape Room

⭐September 11th Reading Comprehension Passage and Activities

⭐Endangered Species Design a Hoodie