Keep Talking - Computing Escape Room

Computing Escape Room for KS3/KS4. Pairs solve Binary, AI, & Logic puzzles via Oracy. Communication-focused Computer Science team-building activity.

In this Escape Room, students work in pairs in order to solve a series of computing puzzles. However, they must sit opposite each other and cannot see each others’ resources. Success depends on oracy and teamwork as they will piece together the puzzles to work towards an answer.

Resources: 2x Powerpoints, 1x Answer sheet
Other resources which are helpful: Caesar cipher wheel

Topics covered:

• Binary numbers
• AI Decision trees
• Problem solving logic skills
• Caesar Ciphers
• ASCII
• Pigpen cipher
• Logic Gates
• Tracing pseudocode

How it works:

• Students will sit opposite each other in pairs with a computer/laptop each but cannot see each others’ screens.
• Pairs will have different powerpoint files that they can go through at their own pace in any order.
• When a puzzle is completed, students will call the teacher (or student helpers such as sixth formers) to verify the answer before it is ticked off and a number of points are awarded.
• When a team has achieved a certain number of points they escape, with a Bronze, Silver or Gold tier for competitiveness.

No prior knowledge of these topics are necessary, but without some, students may need more hints.