How to Build an Escape Room: Integrating Simple Machines
Creating an escape room that’s both challenging and educational is always my goal, and this year, I decided to focus on incorporating simple machines. It’s a fascinating topic that not only captivates students but also lays down the foundation for critical thinking and problem-solving skills. For this project, I leaned heavily on resources from Little Bins for Little Hands—a go-to website with practical, hands-on STEM activities. If you’re unfamiliar with it, I highly recommend checking it out. Their projects are easy to replicate and adaptable, making them ideal for classroom use.
Why Simple Machines?
Simple machines are fundamental to understanding more complex physics concepts, and they’re also perfect for integrating into escape room puzzles. Leveraging simple machines introduces students to real-world engineering principles and shows them how small adjustments can create big effects. These machines provide tangible learning experiences, which naturally lends itself to the hands-on approach of escape rooms.
Resource Spotlight: Little Bins for Little Hands
For this project, I used the Simple Machines activities from Little Bins for Little Hands. Their projects are often free, but even the paid resources are worth the few extra dollars for the quality of content provided. I regularly turn to this site, not just for escape room ideas but for team-building and science projects, too. Little Bins for Little Hands has a way of breaking down STEM topics into manageable, engaging activities that students love.
The Process: Building, Testing, and Brainstorming
Using the Little Bins for Little Hands projects, we first explored each type of simple machine individually—levers, pulleys, wedges, wheels and axles, screws, and inclined planes. Each student had the chance to construct a model, test it out, and observe how it worked. The hands-on experience gave them a clear understanding of how force and motion work in relation to each machine.
Next, we gathered as a group to brainstorm ways we could use these simple machines in our escape room puzzles. I asked students to think creatively about how these mechanisms could add complexity or assist in solving challenges. This led to some fantastic discussions and, ultimately, some innovative ideas on how simple machines could be incorporated into puzzles. Over the years, we’ve started seeing these concepts naturally show up in the escape room planning phase, so incorporating them in the initial lessons was a natural fit.
Bringing Simple Machines into the Escape Room
Once we had our ideas, it was time to start incorporating these machines into our escape room puzzles. This step allowed students to see their knowledge in action. For example, we created a pulley system to raise a flag when a puzzle was solved and used a lever mechanism to reveal a hidden clue. These small additions gave a practical purpose to each machine, turning them into exciting tools in our escape room toolkit.
By weaving simple machines into the escape room setup, we not only reinforced physics principles but also sparked excitement for engineering and design. The end result was an engaging, interactive escape room filled with puzzles that students felt truly invested in.
Final Thoughts
If you’re thinking of creating an educational escape room, I can’t recommend starting with simple machines enough. They add layers of engagement, challenge, and hands-on learning that students will remember long after the escape room is over. And thanks to accessible resources like Little Bins for Little Hands, setting up these projects is a breeze.
Have you tried incorporating simple machines in your escape room? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences! Feel free to share in the comments or reach out if you have any questions about setting up your own STEM-based escape room.