Radio Activity
The facilitator will arrange one setup for each team. Using masking tape or rope, the facilitator will mark off a circle on the floor of about ten feet in diameter. In the middle of the circle place two bowls: one empty and one full of paper clips (or some other substance of similar weight. Outside of the circle, place 4 six foot length ropes and two rubber bands.
The facilitator directs the teams by reading the following excerpt: “There has been a radioactive spill on the floor and the circle represents the extent of the toxic area. The radio active waste is contained in the bowl in the middle of the circle, represented by the bowl with paper clips. However, the existing bowl is cracked and its contents must be transferred to the empty bowl within the circle. The bowls must not be slid across the floor and no team member may cross into or lean over the toxic area. The first team to successfully complete the transfer of the radioactive waste is the winner.”
Facilitator note: [Solution] The team must tie one end of each individual rope to the rubber band. Each team member stands evenly spread around the circle, each holding one end of a rope, leave the rubber band central to the “lifting contraption”. The team members gently pull on their ropes, sufficiently stretching the rubber band over the top of the bowl. Once the rubber band surrounds the bowl, the team releases the pressure, allowing the band to tighten around the bowl. The team lifts the bowl together and carefully transfers the contents to the second bowl.
Reflection Questions: Please note that the following questions can be used by the facilitator to help lead the reflection discussion after the activity is completed. Facilitators can use these questions or other questions generated as a result of the observations from the activity.
- How did your team approach the activity? What methods did your team use that seemed more effective? What could you have done differently?
- If your team was not the first to complete the activity, how did the increased pressure impact the team dynamic?
- What emotions were expressed by members of your team? How did the emotions impact the performance during the activity? How do the emotions of others impact our performance with other tasks?
- What is the team leader’s responsibility with regard to channeling positive emotion?
photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28776801@N00/103544322/
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