Goal
- Students will collaborate, problem solve, and persevere to accomplish each challenge
Materials – per group of 3-4 students
- Task Cards – cut apart, laminate, and secure with a metal ring or brass brad
- 6 cups
- 1 rubber band
- 4-6 pieces of string of equal length
This is one of the team building exercises I plan to use with my 6th graders during the first week of school. Many variations of this lesson can be found online. For this version, I created 6 different challenges for the students to tackle – each one increasing in difficulty. Not every group will get to complete all 6 challenges, and that is OK. The objective is to learn to work together as a team and not give up.
July 26, 2017 – One recommendation I have for this activity is placing the cups on the floor, when the cups fall off the table it makes it more difficult to complete the task in a timely manner.
Updated: Pictures September 2015
Discussion & Reflection
- Which challenge was the easiest for you group to complete? The most difficult? Why?
- Did your techniques change as you advanced to each challenge? Explain why or why not.
- Describe a technique that worked best within your group.
- Compare using two hands vs. one hand when holding the string to guide the cups. List advantages and disadvantages for each.
- Compare using verbal and nonverbal communication, what were some of the challenges your group faced?
- If you were to complete this activity again, what would your group do differently? What would you do the same?
- Why are collaboration and communication skills important characteristics for scientists to have?
- Did you feel like giving up at any point? How did you and your group deal with frustration?
