The Activity

The activity has two stages. First, teams receive a Team Brief and a set of problems on 16 Task Sheets. The problems are a mix of conundrums and puzzles. Each problem has a point score if correct solution, but maximum points are only available for getting it right first time. Second and third attempts score progressively fewer points. So attention to detail and checking are both crucial.

As soon as teams have a solution to a problem they use their unique PIN number to access the computer program and enter their answer. The program checks their answer (with sound effects!). Key to the task: teams must organise themselves in such a way as to maximize their point score.

When a team offers a correct answer the computer awards the points and also shows them a letter of the alphabet. The letters (16 in all) can be arranged on their Scoresheet to spell out an instruction. This leads to the second stage of the activity which involves 'a construction'.

The pace is fast and furious. It’s a race against time - and the other competing teams! A great way to test and develop teamwork skills!

Leader Option

An alternative way to use TeamBuild! enables you to address both leadership and teamwork skills. For each team, select a team leader (or ask teams to elect their leader). Leaders are then issued with a Leader’s Brief so it is the leader only who reads up on the task. Meanwhile the team receives a brief asking them to consider what key attributes they expect to see in their leader. The leaders then return to brief their teams and lead them in the competition.

Trainer's Role

• Divide participants into teams. Introduce the session - briefly. PowerPoint provided.
• Issue a Team Brief and set of the Task Sheets to each team. (For the leadership option, select or elect team leaders. Call the leaders to the front and issue a Leader’s Brief to each.)
• Observe participants at work. Are they forming an effective team? Do they organise themselves? Do they minimize the chance of error? Do they cooperate with each other? Etc.
• When teams collect all their points and letters of the alphabet and worked out the message, issue additional resources (newspapers, tape and scissors) for stage two - the construction.
• At the deadline, stop all work. Measure the height of each construction (that conforms to the conditions).
• For each team, retrieve their problem-solving score, from the computer, and add it to the height (cms) of their ‘construction’.
• Before announcing the final scores and winning team, lead a discussion on what happened and what key lessons were learned from each stage.

Pack Contents

• Trainer's Notes
• Computer Program
• PowerPoint presentation
• PDF Handouts ('Performance Checklist' & 'The Best Approach')
• PDF Brief for the Leadership option
• Team Briefs
• Sets of 16 Task Sheets
• Team Scoresheets
• Scissors, & Sticky Tape (5 sets)
• Tape measure