Within the framework of the Erasmus+ IGLUE project, Belgrade Metropolitan University organised an expert-led course intended for teachers at all levels of education. The aim of the course was to equip participants with the knowledge and skills required to create and implement educational escape rooms, with the purpose of enhancing teaching through innovative methodological approaches. The course was delivered online through five sessions, in the period from 1 June to 26 June.

During the course, participants acquired practical skills in using the Escapp platform, which enables the simple creation of digital and hybrid escape rooms. Several participants successfully created their own original escape rooms, ready for implementation in teaching practice.

The created escape rooms cover a wide range of topics, from cybersecurity and cryptography to tourism and history-related content, with a particular focus on the town of Paraćin, as well as language skills and future-oriented adventures involving elements of artificial intelligence.

Created Escape Rooms

Among the escape rooms created by the course participants, six stand out, representing a wide variety of topics and educational levels.

1. Operation: Save the School Computer

The digital virus BUG-X has locked all school computers just before the start of a major computer science quiz. Students are tasked with solving five missions in order to restore each part of the system. Each successfully completed mission restores one system component, and at the end they receive the message: “SYSTEM RESTORED. Welcome back!”. This escape room develops problem-solving skills and basic knowledge of computer science.

2. The Jewel of Pomoravlje

The Paraćin Tourism Caravan has hidden a promotional treasure chest containing the Jewel of Pomoravlje. In order to win travel tickets, participants must open the chest and discover three secrets of the town: how it got its name, where it is located, and what it is known for. Through exploring the identity of Paraćin — a town in the heart of Pomoravlje, situated on the banks of the Crnica River and near the Great Morava — this simple and engaging escape room introduces tourists and students to the town’s history and landmarks. It can be implemented in a classroom, tourist information centre, or at public events within a maximum duration of 30 minutes.

3. Operation: Safe Network

The storyline takes place in the distant future, in a secret cybersecurity laboratory. The main character is K0D, a small and intelligent AI robot responsible for protecting the laboratory’s central computer from dangerous viruses. One night, the malicious hacker Bug locks K0D’s operating system. K0D is placed in safe mode and urgently needs the players’ help to restart its system and clean the laboratory. This escape room introduces students to the fundamentals of cybersecurity in an engaging and dynamic way.

4. The Mystery of the Eccentric Explorer

Students are invited to the private library of Sir Alistair Fogbottom, a world-renowned explorer who disappeared 50 years ago. According to legend, Sir Alistair did not leave his fortune to his family, but to whoever is intelligent enough to solve his language puzzles. When the students enter the room, the heavy oak doors lock behind them. The only way out is to find the master password by completing four challenges within 45 minutes. This English-language escape room develops language skills and logical reasoning.

5. Operation: Save the Server

The school server has been compromised during a cyberattack, and all critical data have been locked behind multiple layers of encryption. The system automatically blocks access in order to prevent further damage. The players’ task is to solve a series of cryptographic challenges, decrypt access codes, identify security algorithms, and regain control of the system. This escape room represents a significant challenge for those interested in codes and cryptography.

6. The Lost Weekend (Das verlorene Wochenende)

The year is 2084. People spend seven days a week in front of computers and no longer have weekends. The artificial intelligence system Zeitschleife, or TimeLoop, has stolen all free hours, believing that people should spend their time exclusively online. Participants must solve five puzzles in order to escape the time loop and bring back the weekend. This German-language escape room, designed for level A2.2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, reinforces vocabulary related to online activities and develops the ability to understand short texts about habits and opinions.

These escape rooms represent only a selection of the creative solutions developed during the course, all of which are ready for implementation in teaching across different subjects and educational levels. The course once again confirmed Belgrade Metropolitan University’s commitment to the modernisation of education and to supporting teaching staff in their professional development.