Eighth-grade MERIT Georgia Studies students in Mrs. Floyd's class at Thomas County Middle School recently participated in the Escape from Andersonville escape room activity to supplement their instruction on the Civil War and Georgia's role in the war. Students were asked to take on the role of Union prisoners trying to escape from the infamous prison camp. They used primary sources, codes, and hidden clues to move from phase to phase of the escape. Finally, if they were successful, they would gain their freedom.

The escape room was designed by the Thomas County History Center. Programs and membership manager for the history center, Amelia Gallo, had visited the school last year to conduct the escape room activity in person. This year, due to COVID, Ms. Gallo and Mrs. Floyd worked together to create a completely digital version for the classroom and remote students. Students were able to review previously learned material and gain new insights into the complexities of the Civil War.