ChemEscape, polymer chemistry: Solving interactive puzzles featuring scaffolded learning to promote student understanding of polymers and structure–property relationships

The introduction of polymer chemistry in undergraduate science courses is becoming more popular in recent years, introducing content into the relationships between polymer structure and physical properties in a variety of contexts. However, active learning techniques, outside of laboratory experience, for teaching polymer chemistry are extremely limited. The ChemEscape project has successfully integrated escape-room type puzzle design and course specific learning objectives into an interactive learning experience. The novel battle box design, a self-contained puzzle unit, allows for puzzles to be easily transported and applied as a teaching tool in large postsecondary classrooms as well as an outreach tool. Herein, we describe the design and application of a series of new polymer puzzles, focusing on tacticity, elasticity, and hydrophobicity, into the battle box design as well as an all-in-one backdrop design. Puzzles are scaffolded to allow for all learning to be combined in the final puzzle solution as well as a workbook provided for participants to record observations and learning during the puzzles' solutions.