Submitted By: Steven Lenihan
Purpose: This game has participants working together to solve a problem. The challenge is cooperation.
Grade: This game works well with grades 7 to adult.
Time: Preparation and description to the participants takes 5 to 10 min
Activity time can be from 1 min to 10 min per activity and team
Debriefing can be 1 to 30 minutes
Outcome: Nova Scotia Department of Education General Curriculum Outcomes
Students will be expected to:
1. demonstrate positive personal and social behaviours and interpersonal relationships.
2. apply game strategies in a variety of sports and games.
3. demonstrate an understanding of the role that leadership plays in sport experiences
Materials: thick elastic (or several smaller ones), 4 to 8 pieces of string each at least 4 feet long, 2L pop bottle, bucket or garbage can, 1 table
Preparation: Tie the pieces of string onto the elastic(s) such that you have a spider web (elastic in the centre with the string coming off of it in several directions such as North South East and West). The relaxed state of the elastic should be much smaller than the pop bottle.
Place the pop bottle and garbage can on top of a table in the middle of the room.
Break class into groups of 8 (depends on # of strings) students who will work as teams.
Procedures: We are all workers in the nuclear reactor plant. There has been a leak of radiation. Anyone who moves closer than 4 feet will be affected and could possibly die.
We need to find a way of moving the radioactive material (pop bottle) into the lead safety container (garbage can).
In a separate room (or hallway) teams will have the scenario described and shown pictures or diagrams (optional) of the problem. Each team will have an opportunity to discuss and plan a solution. The team will then have only 3 minutes inside the radioactive room (classroom) to solve the emergency.
What teams will attempt to do is hold the end of the string, pick up the pop bottle and place it into the bucket.
Variations: This game has also been referred to as Time Bomb.
Try these variations:
1. The teams are not permitted to talk once they enter the room.
2. Teams are 4 people with their back to the table (each holding a string). They have partners who are facing the table and tell them what to do, but who can not touch the strings. (supervisors or engineers telling employees what to do)
3. There are 7 people with their backs to the table (each holding a string) and one person who tell the group what to do.
4. The pop bottle is on another table on the other side of the room.
5. The pop bottle is on another table on the other side of the room and there are obstacles which the team can not move. They must travel over, under or around the obstacles.
6. The pop bottle is filled (or partially filled) with water.
7. Instead of using a rubber band, a solid rubber ring is used. It is larger than the pop bottle and has limited flexibility. This will easily slide over the pop bottle, but picking up the bottle will be challenging.
8. Lay the bottle down to start. It is much harder to pick up.
9. Instead of using a bottle, use an object with an awkward shape. Balls which are very challenging.
10. Also try stacking objects. One idea was having 5 kicking tees (rugby) and 5 rugby balls. The winning team is the one who makes the highest statue by stacking tee – ball – upside down tee – tee – ball - upside down tee – tee – ball – etc.
Debriefing: I believe that the most beneficial part of this game is talking about it afterwards. Allow the teams to discuss their challenges and successes. What worked and what did not. Ensure that all participants are given opportunity to express themselves.
Some sample questions to be put forward by the teacher / facilitator:
1. What were the challenges of not being allowed to talk, following directions from the supervisors, or being allowed to talk all of the time.
2. How were difficulties overcome?
3. Was there a leader? How was this person chosen?
4. Did your plan work? Why or why not?
5. Could you perform the task faster if given another chance? Is there a time which it is impossible to beat? How do you know your limitations?
6. Is team work important? Are there problems in the world which we can not solve by ourselves?
7. Did anyone let the group down? How did that make you feel?
Sources: I have not been able to find this game in any written form in books or on the internet. I have played this game and have made many of my own variations.