Embark on an Epic Evolutionary Escape Quest Against Time with Dr. Znorgberg!

Prepare for a mind-bending adventure as students find themselves ensnared in a time loop, thanks to the nefarious Dr. Znorgberg and his ominous tick-tock tube! To break free, they'll need to apply all the evolutionary investigation skills they've mastered in this chapter. Time is running out—Dr. Znorgberg is on the brink of unleashing his transgenic T-Rex!

This evolution review activity isn't just challenging—it's a heart-pounding experience! Leveraging the excitement of the "escape the room" trend, this online escape promises an adventure like no other. Perfectly situated at the conclusion of your evolution unit, this mission calls on students to apply their knowledge and skills in:

1. Analyzing evidence of evolution

2. Distinguishing between Lamarck's and Darwin's ideas

3. Evaluating examples of natural selection

4. Creating an evolutionary tree

5. Unraveling the mysteries of co-evolution

The Epic Adventure:

Station One: Students delve into questions about evidence for evolution to uncover an enigmatic Egyptian hieroglyph. Translating it into English letters reveals the escape code!

Station Two: Lamarck's and Darwin's ideas stand at the crossroads. Students must decide which path to take. The choice determines the fate of a PLINKO ball, guiding them to the ultimate escape code.

Station Three: Real graphs and actual evolutionary examples form the foundation of a compelling CER table. Completing it leads students straight to the escape code.

Station Four: Students undertake the exhilarating task of crafting an evolutionary tree from adorable clipart monsters. The tree holds the key to their escape.

Station Five: True/false questions about co-evolution unlock the secrets of a "book cipher." As the cipher codes align with a paragraph on co-evolution, the escape code emerges.

This isn't just a lesson—it's an adrenaline-charged adventure that will leave students on the edge of their seats! Will they outsmart Dr. Znorgberg and break free from the time loop ... in time? Get ready for an unforgettable blend of excitement and education! Don't wait—embark on the evolutionary quest now!

This file includes a teacher key. Please remind your students that their codes will have to be in all capital letters without spaces, or else they won't be able to escape!

Grade Recommendation

Middle School (Advanced): Grades 7–8

Appropriate for advanced learners during an evolution unit.
Students need foundational knowledge of fossils, natural selection, and basic classification patterns.

High School: Grades 9–10

Ideal for:

• Biology / Living Environment Evolution Unit

• Regents review (covers: natural selection, evidence for evolution, comparative anatomy, cladistics, biochemistry)

This escape room aligns extremely well with the NYS Living Environment Evolution topic, making it classroom-ready for 9th grade.

Cross-Curricular Connections & Extensions

ELA

• Reading scientific scenarios

• Interpreting graph-based CER evidence

• Hieroglyphic decoding → pattern recognition and visual literacy

• Structured written reasoning in the student packet

Math

• Half-life calculations

• Ordering fossils by depth

• Translating numerical book cipher codes to letters (Station 5)

• Logical sequencing in cladogram-building

Social Studies / History

• Egyptian hieroglyphs analogy (cryptography and archaeology)

Technology

• Google Forms interface

• Digital lock system

• Multimedia integration (video in Station 5)

Possible Extensions

• Students create their own evolutionary puzzle

• Use real half-life manipulatives (e.g., M&Ms → radioactive decay)

• Create a “biochemical evidence” gel using cut-up paper bands

• Group discussion on historical misconceptions (Lamarck)
  

Join the Lesson Laboratory and Teach for Tomorrow!

NGSS Standards (MS & HS)

This escape room strongly reinforces multiple evolutionary performance expectations across grade bands.

Middle School Performance Expectations

MS-LS4-1

Analyze and interpret data for patterns in the fossil record.
— Fossil depth ordering & relative dating (Station 1)

MS-LS4-2

Apply scientific ideas to explain how variations and natural selection lead to adaptations.
— Natural selection CER table (Station 3)

MS-LS4-3

Analyze data supporting that organisms with advantageous traits reproduce more.
— Peppered moths, finch beaks, antibiotic resistance (Station 3)

MS-LS4-4

Construct explanations for anatomical similarities and differences.
— Homologous vs. analogous structures question (Station 1)

MS-LS4-6

Use mathematical representations to support explanations of natural selection.
— Graph-based reasoning in CER
— Frequency changes across generations

High School Performance Expectations

HS-LS4-1

Communicate scientific information showing common ancestry and biological evolution.
— Homologous structures and gel electrophoresis evidence

HS-LS4-2

Construct explanations based on evidence that evolution results from several factors.
— Environmental pressures in CER scenarios
— Pollution, drought, antibiotics

HS-LS4-3

Apply statistical/graphical data to support claims of evolution.
— Moth frequency graph, finch beak data, antibiotic resistance curves

HS-LS4-4

Construct explanations based on evidence for how natural selection leads to adaptation.
— CER reasoning choices A–D (Station 3)

HS-LS4-5

Evaluate evidence for mechanisms of evolution (including coevolution).
— Coevolution scenarios in Station 5

Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs)

Patterns

Fossil layering, gel electrophoresis bands, anatomical similarities, trait frequency graphs.

Cause and Effect

Environmental changes → trait frequency shifts (moths, finches, bacteria).

Stability and Change

Population frequency changes due to selective pressures.

Structure and Function

Homologous vs. analogous structures, vestigial structures.

Systems and System Models

Cladograms as models of evolutionary relationships.

Science & Engineering Practices (SEPs)

Analyzing & Interpreting Data

Graphs, fossils, gel bands, CER tables.

Constructing Explanations

Students explain evolutionary mechanisms using evidence & reasoning.

Developing & Using Models

Cladograms, anatomical comparisons.

Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

Half-life calculations, ordering, probability of mutations.

Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Evaluating evolutionary scenarios, decoding hieroglyphs/book ciphers.

Common Core Standards

This lesson includes substantial literacy + data analysis → Common Core applies strongly.

ELA (Science Literacy)

RST.9-10.3 — Follow multistep scientific procedures (escape station steps).
RST.9-10.7 — Integrate info from diagrams, graphs, & text (natural selection + fossils).
RST.9-10.8 — Distinguish claims from evidence in CER tables.
RST.9-10.9 — Compare multiple sources of evidence (fossils, anatomy, biochemistry).

Math

HSS.ID.A.1 — Interpret data in graphs.
MP.2 — Reason quantitatively (half-lives).
MP.4 — Use math to model evolutionary patterns.