The Science Learning Center at the University of Texas at Arlington recently hosted its inaugural escape room event, transforming the facility into a spooky laboratory atmosphere. The event took place on October 20 and featured two themed escape rooms designed to engage students with science-related puzzles.
Dreak Lanier, the Science Learning Center program manager, noted that participants navigated through an intermediate escape room and a more challenging version. The intermediate room required players to solve the mystery of a microbiology sample left behind by a “mad scientist.” The more difficult escape room involved locating a missing molecular sample.
Ashley Perez Galvan, a student associate at the center, mentioned that the puzzles incorporated various elements of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), encouraging teamwork among participants. “It’s a great way for you to get a good taste of both science and chemistry, biology, math, and all other kinds of STEM,” Perez Galvan said.
The idea for the escape room emerged as part of a strategy to promote the Science Learning Center, particularly amid ongoing construction in the Life Science Building, which had led to decreased use of the center outside of exam periods. Lanier collaborated with the college’s marketing manager and student employees to conceptualize and decorate the escape rooms, utilizing artificial intelligence to refine the plans.
Preparation for the event began days in advance, with decorations and puzzle designs being finalized prior to the event. The rooms featured anatomy models, chemistry model sets, and other educational resources typically available for student use.
During the testing of the puzzles, the staff evaluated the setup and refining of the escape room tasks. Lanier expressed that the escape room aimed to highlight the center’s resources and familiarize students with available materials. “My thought with the escape room was that we could utilize some of the things that we have here, some of our lesser-used items,” she explained.
Event organizers encouraged staff to dress in costumes, with participants also receiving Halloween-themed treats and notes of encouragement upon completing the challenges. Perez Galvan reflected on the event’s success, stating, “It’s a good way for everyone from all majors, from all seniority, to interact with each other and help each other out through the process.”
