Classroom Activities

 

Cryptography Puzzle Challenge

Page history last edited by eaglin 1 yr ago
Cryptography Puzzle Challenge
 
The purpose of this exercise is to build teamwork using difficult cryptography and other types of mental puzzles. The puzzles that I have selected are from www.geocaching.com and are all selected for their challenging nature – but all are solvable.
 
To give this challenge in class I recommend printing out a copy of each of the puzzles from the geocaching site. They are included here as links and you will need to create a login to print these out. Students should be encouraged to use ALL resources available to solve these. Having a computer and internet access is very useful to completing these. All of these solve as a set of lat/long coordinates.
 

Cache Name and Description
Link
79 Cipher – Not really a cipher at all, requires astute use of mathematical concepts and some research to solve
Alchemy 201 – A relatively easy puzzle, requires some knowledge of chemistry and simple logic
Augustus Deception – Another relatively easy solve, teaches paying close attention to the clues given
Baseball – Now we are getting challenging, this requires astute observation and research or a great memory for baseball
Be Nice and Play Fair II – This is a truly challenging cipher puzzle and requires some knowledge of cryptography.
Don’t talk with your mouth full – A straightforward monosyllabic cipher, easily solved – the picture is cute.
Don’t Tickle My Feet – Actually a very simple puzzle once you determine the trick hidden in the title.
EE SWT With an Attitude – This one is new to my list and I have not solved it yet.
From the sky to the ground – You need astronomy and some research to solve this one, though it is not hard.
Halfway to Hiddenrock – This one they will need to go to the page to solve.
Jamabalaya – One of my favorites, you will have to go to the site to solve this and it helps to have a very multi-lingual class.
Junk Mail – Look closely to solve, this will have most students in loops.
Kestrel Trap – I am unable to solve this myself – but my kids can (better eyes), This is a hint.
Local Addresses - Figure out the anagram first, then solve the puzzle
Musical Micro - For the music lover out there, a nice puzzle
Officer Safety Alert – Good luck on this one, a challenging cipher.
Salad Cipher – This should be very easy for any astute student.
Tetradontiae – Any student solves this, big kudos – a challenging cipher and puzzle
The Baconian Theory – Clever and a bit of Shakespeare conspiracy theory thrown in for good measure.
The Good Samaritan Strikes Again – Not as obvious as it looks, a cipher with a little twist.
Tribe Ostinato – Another favorite of mine, requires some astute thought and an easy solve after that.

 

 

 There are hundreds of puzzle caches available at the www.geocaching.com site. This exercise builds puzzle solving skills and teamwork. Many students will struggle with these as they are difficult – as many of the faculty who have not solved these. Contact me if you are just absolutely unable to solve these yourself or with help. 

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