ZMT - Leibniz Zentrum für Marine Tropenforschung

ZMT develops Escape Game to Support Coral Reef Conservation

In “Mila and the Secret of the Reef”, participants aged 16 and above dive into the fascinating world of tropical coral reefs and explore how scientific research, conservation efforts, and societal engagement are connected. The game centers on the vulnerable ecosystem of tropical coral reefs. Coral reefs are among the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, yet they are increasingly threatened by rising sea temperatures and human activities.

The escape game embeds puzzles on environmental factors, data analysis, misinformation about reef protection, and societal dialogue within a narrative framework. In the story, teams accompany a fictional marine biologist named Mila on her research mission in the South Pacific, learning in an engaging way about the foundations of effective marine conservation.

Learning Through Puzzles: Escape Games as an Educational Tool for Environmental Education

Developed in cooperation with the Games Institute Austria, the game builds on the concept of educational escape rooms  – an innovative approach in which learning content is conveyed through cooperative problem-solving and narrative storytelling. The focus is on teamwork, critical thinking, and applying knowledge in a realistic context.

The format is suitable for upper secondary school classes, university students, and the interested public. It can be offered as part of school partnerships, workshops, or science outreach events at ZMT in Bremen.