Supporting First-Year Chemistry Undergraduates in Data Analysis through a Gamified Excel Escape Room

Abstract

Excel proficiency is a critical tool in undergraduate chemistry education, yet many students lack confidence in performing essential data handling and analysis tasks. To address student apprehension and encourage engagement with the software, this work reports the development of an Excel-based escape room. The activity is built entirely within the Excel environment, utilizing conditional formatting and password-protected sheets to create a self-contained, interactive learning experience without the need for external software or funding. The activity was trialed with a cohort of first-year undergraduate chemistry students. Participants reported positive shifts in their perception of Excel, noting increased confidence and a greater willingness to apply the software for complex tasks following the intervention. While direct skill acquisition requires longitudinal study, survey data suggests that gamifying the Excel environment can effectively lower the perceived barrier to entry for hesitant students. By embedding skill development within an exploratory framework, this model offers a scalable, adaptable tool for introducing digital literacy in the chemical sciences.