"Bridge the Gap"

A Variation to
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

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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.

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No outside resources are allowed in the bridge construction.  The solution is possible without damaging the equipment.

SOLUTION:

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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.