Using Breakout EDU with my Chemistry Students

Using Breakout EDU with my Chemistry Students

Author: Lauren Pavletich | Chemistry Teacher in New York City

I stumbled upon Breakout Boxes a few years ago at a science educators conference I attended. Though the workshop itself was targeting a middle school science class, the message was clear: These tools could help engage students with the content on a new level. 

I immediately went back to my school and wrote a Donors Choose project for four sets of Breakout Boxes. Each set comes with a larger box, a smaller box, four locks, and a hasp. After a few months, I had enough donations to receive the boxes and began planning my first lesson. 

There was definitely a little bit of a learning curve in trying to set up the locks. The Breakout EDU website has great resources that make it easy to get started. I also tried to keep my clues relatively simple for my first attempt in order to not only help myself but also to have the students build their confidence in their work. As a chemistry teacher in New York State, we have a state test at the end of the year that I pulled some “clues” from and used the respective answers to make the codes for the locks. I used the given white-out pens to leave codes for the students to use the blacklights. For example, for the arrows lock, I put the directions next to the multiple-choice options in order for them to try and solve the respective lock. I allow my students one “Teacher Question” where they can get help on a clue unless it’s a technical issue, or more than one group asks the same question. 

The lesson went surprisingly well. The group of chemistry students I presented this to were very competitive pre-Breakout Box activity, so this just bumped up their energy even more. I had students who were not usually engaged in the content willing to help out their teammates in order to discover what was in the inner box. Two groups ended up getting only one digit off on the lock, so no true winners, but they were applying science to a new situation, so they were REALLY winning education-wise! 

I’ve used the boxes over the past few years, and they have been a hit. Some tips I’ve learned: be patient. There are going to be hiccups the first time or two, write down the mistake, make adjustments and try again! Ask for input from the students. I’m having my forensics students design their own games based on what they’ve been learning, and I am excited to see what they come up with!