At the heart of an engaging collaboration between People’s Primary School (PPS) and international universities lies a project that combines the magic of storytelling with cutting-edge technology. The Candyland Escape Room is more than just a game, it’s an educational adventure that blends creativity, collaboration, and innovation into a single immersive experience.

The Project and Its Purpose
Since 2017, PPS has been working closely with researchers from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and Aalborg University (AAU) to involve 6th and 7th graders in the ideation, design, and testing of educational technologies. The Candyland Escape Room, the latest output of this partnership, is a mixed-reality experience that combines Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). It offers children the chance to co-create and explore technologies that promote interactive learning while reinforcing teamwork, problem-solving, and creative thinking.

The story revolves around “Yummy Candyland,” a magical world filled with chocolate waterfalls, licorice fish, gingerbread houses, and ice elves. This enchanting place is guarded by the whimsical Mr. Matoro, a candy-loving creature. Players are tasked with saving this world from decay by completing three challenging assignments.

Through asymmetric game design, the Candyland Escape Room ensures that VR players and their teammates outside the headset collaborate effectively to solve puzzles.

Engaging the Community
The Escape Room project isn’t confined to classroom walls, it’s open to the public at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (HTTPS Building), offering everyone a chance to dive into this sugary adventure. PPS students were pivotal in designing and exploring the game. From conceptualising the narrative to designing puzzles, the students brought their imagination to life with the support of researchers.

Participants had the opportunity to test the game during development, helping refine the experience. During Institutional Research Week, held from October 28th to October 30th, the Candyland Escape Room was unveiled to a broader audience. Researchers, students, and lecturers from various disciplines eagerly explored the escape room, marveling at the combination of technology and storytelling.

A Peek Inside the Game
The adventure begins with a carefully crafted game manual, guiding teams through their tasks. Players in the VR environment collaborate with teammates who solve physical puzzles in the real world. One example is decoding symbols that lead players to questions. The answers provided help unlock elements in the VR world and ultimately lead to a combination lock that secures a treasure chest containing real candy bars.

Building the Prototype
The development of the Candyland Escape Room relied on Unity for the virtual environment and the Oculus 2 for tracking hand gestures. Two manuals were designed: one for children containing puzzles and another for facilitators, ensuring a seamless gameplay experience. Testing involved students split into small groups who provided valuable feedback, helping fine-tune the game’s mechanics.

A Gateway to Learning Through Play
The Candyland Escape Room demonstrates how technology can transform learning into an exciting adventure. It exposes children to emerging technologies like AR and VR while fostering creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork. It’s a project that not only educates but also inspires, turning young learners into innovators and problem-solvers.

If you’re ready to dive into a world of chocolate rivers, gingerbread houses, and magical puzzles, the Candyland Escape Room is calling your name. Come explore, collaborate, and save the magic of Yummy Candyland!