CDE Field Trips - 12/20/24: Escape Room class at Poudre High School

In an elective called Ethical Leadership at Poudre High School in Fort Collins students are designing and creating an escape room while learning how to run a business. 

Senior Sean Alcazar describes the course as hands-on and collaborative. “We work together and build off each other’s ideas,” he said. Students brainstorm themes and budget expenses and physically construct the escape rooms, from painting walls to designing puzzles. Escape 970 will open to the public for $10 per person in the spring. This year, the theme of the escape room is to bring  an abandoned circus to life, where participants must solve clues to get the imaginary show running again.

The leadership lessons are as immersive as the creative process. “You learn to speak up, take charge, and say no when something doesn’t work,” said senior Lily Kreikemeier. “It’s not like any other class.” 

The hands-on approach fosters teamwork—critical in a small class where students rely on one another to complete projects. The class also emphasizes adaptability—when something doesn’t go as planned, students must problem-solve in real time to keep the project on track.

Teacher Jeremy Johner, who helped launch the class in 2018, said the experience is like running a real business. “Students create proposals, manage budgets, market the escape room, and interact with clients,” Johner explained. Proceeds from customers fund next year’s escape room designs, giving students a tangible sense of responsibility.

For the students, the mix of leadership, creativity, and entrepreneurship makes this class unforgettable. “It’s an opportunity you don’t usually get,” said Kreikemeier. “We’re learning, but it’s fun.”

Visit the Escape 970 website for updates and to book your visit.