Bridge the Gap
A variation of "The Cutting Edge of Teamwork"
We recently received the following request for an
activity:
"I have a dinner for 1500 persons, and I need to
start off with an activity about teaming. Each dinner table
will seat 12 persons, & my request is a half hour game that doesn't
require my guests to get up or do any physical activity."
That one had me stumped, so I contacted Sam Sikes of DoingWorks. Sam is a
superb facilitator and has been creating new, truly unique
experiential activities for years (as evidenced by many of his books which we
have the pleasure of featuring in our online store).
The original "Cutting
Edge of Teamwork" provides all of the background; here is the
variation entitled "Bridge the Gap."
PROPS:
- Three knives per small group
- Two cups per small group
- One salt or pepper shaker per group

(Click for larger pic)
OBJECTIVE/INSTRUCTIONS:
Using the 3 knives, build a suspension bridge
between the two cups so that the salt or pepper shaker will be
supported in the middle of the bridge. The cups must be set 12
inches apart.

(Click for larger pic)
No outside resources are allowed in the bridge
construction. The solution is possible without damaging the
equipment.
SOLUTION:

(Click for larger pic)
NOTE:
Unlike "the Cutting Edge of Teamwork," do NOT show
the participants any of the pictures; simply provide the materials,
read the instructions, and sit back (but try not to laugh too much
...)
Sam is the founder of DoingWorks Inc., a training organization that specializes in experiential
learning techniques. Sam trains, facilitates, and speaks in a
variety of corporate and educational settings including Fortune 500
companies, small businesses and universities. Best known for his
creativity, Sam has trained groups of as few as two people and as
many as three thousand.
No, Sam didn't really snap the trap on his lip.