Overview
The NCF Escape Room is a hands-on learning experience that transforms classrooms and clubs into high-stakes problem-solving missions. Inspired by real-world cryptologic scenarios, the program invites students to work in teams, crack codes, solve puzzles, and uncover hidden messages—just like professional codebreakers.
Aligned with cybersecurity and critical thinking objectives, the Escape Room strengthens student skills in logic, collaboration, and digital literacy. The activity is flexible enough to be used in classrooms, after-school programs, or enrichment days, and is designed to be accessible for a wide range of grade levels and learning styles.
Each session includes a complete educator kit, including setup instructions, student materials, and reflection prompts to turn excitement into lasting understanding. It’s more than a game—it’s an entry point into the world of cryptology and cyber thinking.
In 2026, the NCF launched an Escape Room in a Box (ERIAB) that can be easily utilized by classrooms and groups. Learn more about the ERIAB below.
About the Escape Room In A Box
The Escape Room In A Box (ERIAB) is a portable, hands-on cybersecurity learning experience designed to introduce students to cybersecurity through teamwork, critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving. Working in teams, students solve a series of cyber-themed puzzles and challenges that reinforce concepts such as cryptography, passwords, phishing, cyber hygiene, digital safety, and logic while exposing them to cybersecurity careers in a fun and engaging way.
Each ERIAB experience is designed for 7–8 students per session. The kit takes approximately 10 minutes to set up and 20–30 minutes to complete, making it ideal for repeated use in classrooms, STEM labs, after-school programs, youth organizations, libraries, summer camps, community events, and family engagement activities.
What’s Included
- Complete facilitator guide and setup instructions
- Puzzle materials and clue packet
- Lock boxes and locks
- Timer and game materials
- Reflection and debrief questions
- Cryptology and cybersecurity-themed challenges
- Materials to support multiple implementations
Who This Kit Is For
- Middle schools
- High schools
- Colleges and universities
- Afterschool programs
- Libraries
- Summer camps
- Youth organizations
- Community groups
- Corporate team-building and workforce awareness events
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Rent or Purchase the ERIAB
RENTAL OPTIONS for the Escape Room in a Box (ERIAB)
If your school or organization would like to rent an ERIAB – this option is available for free to those who are either 1) local to the Glen Burnie, MD area and are able to pick it up and return it to the NCF office, or 2) would like to request a free, sponsored ERIAB kit (no shipping fees for the renter). To request the free sponsored kit, please see the separate form on this page.
All renters will be required to sign a rental agreement with terms of use. Once you pay the associated fees for shipping and for the enclosed return shipping label – a member of our team will reach out to you with further details.
PURCHASE the ERIAB
Schools, school districts, youth organizations, libraries, STEM programs, camps, scouting organizations, and community organizations may purchase an Escape Room In A Box (ERIAB) for $750 plus a fee for shipping based upon your shipping address. The ERIAB is not available for purchase for individual use.
Eligible purchasers own the ERIAB and keep it permanently. Purchasing an ERIAB allows for repeated use with new groups of students, making it a sustainable and cost-effective investment in cybersecurity education.
Purchasing an ERIAB allows organizations to:
- Keep the ERIAB for unlimited future use.
- Incorporate cybersecurity into classrooms, after-school programs, STEM nights, camps, libraries, and community events.
- Reach hundreds of students over the lifetime of the kit.
- Provide an engaging, hands-on learning experience that builds teamwork, critical thinking, communication, and cyber awareness.
- Integrate cybersecurity into existing STEM, computer science, career exploration, and enrichment programming.
The purchase includes the complete ERIAB kit with all activity materials, facilitator instructions, and implementation guidance, allowing educators and program leaders to facilitate the experience with minimal preparation.
Because cybersecurity is constantly evolving, the National Cryptologic Foundation is committed to keeping the experience current. If updates are made to the activities, facilitator guide, or supporting resources, we will provide those updates electronically to all purchasers at no additional cost for the lifetime of the box. This ensures your ERIAB remains current with emerging cybersecurity concepts and best practices.
Sponsor the ERIAB
Organizations/Individuals can sponsor an Escape Room in a Box for $1,500.
A sponsorship allows the NCF to rotate one ERIAB kit among schools/youth-serving organizations, significantly expanding access while removing financial barriers for participating schools and organization. A sponsor has the option of designating up to three schools or organizations to receive the ERIAB for their sponsorship.
As an ERIAB sponsor, your organization will receive:
- Your company logo prominently displayed on the Escape Room in a Box.
- Recognition on the National Cryptologic Foundation website as an ERIAB sponsor.
- Recognition in program materials and communications, when appropriate.
- An impact summary identifying the schools and students reached through your sponsorship.
- The opportunity to directly support cybersecurity education and help build the next generation of cyber professionals.
Sponsored ERIAB kits remain the property of the National Cryptologic Foundation and are rotated among multiple schools and youth organizations to maximize student impact.
Request a Free, Sponsored ERIAB
FREE ERIAB RENTAL OPTIONS
1) If you are local to the Glen Burnie, MD area and would like to pick up and return the ERIAB kit to the NCF office – please use the form below and indicate in the Comments field that you are local and would like to pick up the kit. A member of our team will respond to your request.
2) If you are not local to the Glen Burnie, MD area and would like to rent the ERIAB for free – you can inquire about the availability of a kit sponsored by one of our generous donors. To inquire, please complete the form provided below. Once your request is received, a member of our team will reach out to you regarding the availability of a sponsored kit. If no sponsored kits are available, you can be added to a waiting list or if you prefer not to wait, you can view other options to rent or purchase a kit on this page.
Sponsored ERIAB kits remain the property of the National Cryptologic Foundation and are rotated among multiple schools and youth organizations to maximize student impact.