Teaching Design, Arts, and Fashion Students about Plastics and Recycling: The Use of Online and Offline Escape Room Scenarios

Herein we propose the implementation of an “escape
room”
activity to reinforce chemistry-related concepts for students of the
Bachelor of Arts and Fashion. In this work, a combined online and
offline activity is developed, easily adaptable to different environments.
The online activity consists of 5 blocks of multiple-quiz questions
regarding the concepts taught in theory classes of the subject ranging
from the basic concepts of densities of fluids to thermoplastics alongside
other concepts such as recycling. After successfully completing each
question block, one clue is revealed. The offline activity consists
of 6 laboratory-based experiments based on the same concepts but providing
an immersive scenario by the use of experiments and puzzles. The experiments
are simple and related to concepts (polymer science, density, and
recycling) for nonscientific bachelor’s degrees. The final
objective is to obtain a four-digit code which can deactivate a “bomb”
which is constructed with a simple Arduino microcontroller, providing
a real urgency scenario for the activity. To construct the Arduino-based
“bomb” minimum electronic parts and cost are needed
as well as minimal programming knowledge, making this activity accessible
to every teacher worldwide. An alternative to the use of Arduino by
employing Google Collab is also provided. Positive feedback regarding
concept consolidation and amusement has been observed.