^{This project was implemented as part of “fuels – Future Learning Spaces” in 2024 .}

Since physical experiments in schools and universities are often limited – whether due to time constraints or safety concerns – the virtual reality environment offers a safe and comprehensive simulation. Players experience realistic experiments across various escape room levels.

Pilot Project for Grades 5-10

In a virtual environment, students from grades 5 to 10 can collaboratively conduct physics experiments on optics, mechanics, and electricity. In the future, the offering will be expanded to include advanced experiments, providing an immersive learning environment for university students in introductory physics courses.

In the optics level, players manipulate laser beams by placing mirrors to understand reflections and unlock the room. Another level simulates splitting white light into spectral colors using a prism. Here, players must project light of a specific wavelength onto a wall to reveal a password and escape the “Escape Room.”

In the electricity level, players construct circuits using wires, batteries, and switches to understand concepts such as series and parallel circuits as well as logic gates. The goal is to complete a circuit successfully and open a gate.

The mechanics level, on the other hand, challenges learners to accelerate balls with enough force to break through a wall or determine the mass of equally heavy balls, introducing physical principles like momentum and force.

The experiments were developed by university students in collaboration with the Gutenberg School and Dr. Sasa Bakic, who conceptualized and scientifically supervised the content.

Future Prospects of the Project

The project received consistently positive feedback from students and teachers. Current efforts are focused on expanding the existing levels to enhance gameplay and user experience. Further evaluations are planned to study the learning effects and the transfer of knowledge to everyday life, with the aim of continuously improving the VR learning game.

#Size —> Spaces
#Tag —> at school
#Technologie —> VR
#Didactic —> Escapegame simulation, collaboration, simulation
Learn more about the fuels taxonomy

PD Dr.-Ing. Stefan Göbel, Wolfgang Brabänder, Dr.-Ing. Polona Caserman / Serious Games Group – TU Darmstadt