Escape the lab!

"Sir, did you actually work in that lab?" a student asked during an online lesson. "Places like that don’t really exist, do they?"

This conversation resulted in me embarking on a project supported by the RSC Outreach Fund. I have created an online resource which aims to showcase a range of careers in the chemical sciences.

During an online GCSE lesson I had shown the class an old photo of a lab in which I used to work, to give some context of analytical chemistry. I was forced to abandon the lesson while the students dissected the image and asked every question possible about the lab.

"What does that machine do?", "how many people did you work with?", "what samples did you run?", "what was in that cupboard?", "what did you do with the results?", "who was your boss?", "how much is that instrument worth?"

The list went on. It’s as if they hadn’t seen a lab before! Which, of course, they hadn’t.

Later during a period of lockdown I began creating online escape room style games where students had to explore a lab in order to complete the game. I would insert relevant questions on chemistry content to make it a useful revision tool or summary task. Retaining students’ interest was difficult during the periods of remote learning, but these resources seemed to be engaging more than most.

The students told me this was not because of any amazing game mechanics or storyline, but because the students got to see inside an actual laboratory where people do real science.

I approached some companies and organisations to ask if they would provide me with photos of their labs. Bayer and the British Antarctic Survey were kind enough to send me images and the games became more elaborate. I have now created online escape room games for Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 and received great feedback from both teachers and students. These are all available for free on my website.

In the summer of 2021 the RSC awarded me funding to produce an online resource which showcases a range of careers in the chemical sciences. It is aimed specifically at Year 10-11 students who have not yet decided whether they would like to pursue chemistry beyond GCSE. I deliberately chose industries one would not necessarily think of when it comes to chemistry; no medics or vets here! Think volcanology, robotic engineers in the nuclear industry, silicon wafer etching and biomedical writers.

The game takes most students around 30 minutes to complete and does include a handful of GCSE level chemistry questions to make it more engaging. But the focus is very much on showing the workplace of a variety of chemists. There are opportunities for students to learn what each job involves and how each chemist found their way into their chosen field of work.

Try the game for yourself.

If you find the game worthwhile and would like to see similar resources please fill in the short feedback form.