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!

Imagine stepping into a new reality in a blink. That’s the experience many festival-goers had at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) stall during the Luderitz Crayfish Festival.

The initial look on their faces? A mix of confusion and amusement. All they could grasp is their hands together followed by a “wow” after they have taken a look around the new reality they find themselves in.

“What is this?” “Can I touch it?” – these were the most common questions I was flooded with. The adventurous one dove right in, eager to interact with the virtual world. Others, a little more cautious, stood back and took it all in while they await further instructions.

The NUST stall was filled with a bunch of activities. Our admin team was there to answer questions about the university, detailing the exciting courses and programs offered. The Hikakuse team kept the crowd entertained with trivia quizzes related to NUST, the festival itself, and anything else that sparked their curiosity, and the victor will receive good prizes and our VR corner. Here, festival-goers got to experience two immersive virtual games: a thrilling San hunting adventure and  Escape Room Candy Land.

We even had some esteemed guests join the fun! The Mayor of Luderitz and the Vice President were among the VIPs who couldn’t resist trying out our VR experiences.

The Luderitz Crayfish Festival wasn’t just about showcasing technology; it was about igniting dreams. Local school students came to our stall, many wide-eyed with wonder. Some came simply to experience the VR games, but for others, it was a turning point.

As they explored virtual landscapes  challenges, a spark ignited in their eyes. They saw the possibilities that NUST could offer – a world where education wasn’t just textbooks and lectures, but a place where learning was an immersive adventure.

I also had the privilege of one-on-one sessions with these curious students. It wasn’t just about answering questions about NUST; it was about sparking a dream or two. We talked about their interests, their aspirations, and how NUST could help them achieve them.

Seeing their faces light up as they envisioned themselves as future scientists, engineers, or artists at NUST was incredibly rewarding.

The Luderitz Crayfish Festival, is annual event held since 2008, is a vibrant celebration of the town’s rich culture and heritage. It offers a diverse mix of activities – from mouthwatering seafood displays and traditional cuisine to captivating entertainment, stylish fashion shows, and bustling corporate events.

This year, NUST brought a touch of the future to the festival, showcasing the potential of virtual reality to educate, entertain, and spark curiosity. It was an experience that left many festival-goers with a sense of wonder and a glimpse into a world of new possibilities.