Exploring Exoplanets: Breakout Activity

This table-top escape room activity will have your students thinking and collaborating while solving challenges related to introductory high school biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth and space science. The challenges are related to an exoplanet exploration mission and students work through them as a small group of astronauts. You can pick and choose from the challenges based on your classroom needs. 

Alien Ecosystems (Biology) 

Students use their knowledge of biological ecosystems to solve puzzles related to biotic relationships and populations. 

Elements of Life (Chemistry) 

Students complete a Bohr-Rutherford diagram to obtain their code. 

Circuit Malfunction (Electricity) 

Students determine the current at different points in a circuit to solve the puzzle. 

Not Too Hot, Not Too Cold (Earth and Space)

Students use real astronomical data to figure out which exoplanets are in the habitable zone of the star. 

Atmospheric Chemistry (Chemistry) 

Students analyze spectra to decipher the components of exoplanet atmospheres. 

Exoplanet Power Generation (Electricity) 

Students solve a logic puzzle to figure out which types of power stations are best-suited for different planets. 

Transit Method (Earth and Space) 

Students analyze star light curves to sort planets by speed and size.