NATURE MACHINE
AGE: 15 +
10-16
TIME
MATERIALS
LOCATION
60 min
rope (around 10 m), 3-8 blindfolds
outdoor (nature preferably)
GOAL
Practicing communication and problem solving. DESCRIPTION
54
The aim of activity is to build machine from rope and natural materials, like branches, sticks, stones, etc. Activity includes 3 teams of engineers, managers and workers. There should be around 6-8 workers and 2-4 engineers and managers. All teams have a task to construct part of new machine together. Each group is highly specialized. The engineers draw the plan and present it to managers. Their jargon is so complicated; they communicate without words or drawings when they conveying information to managers. Managers have to direct the workers into the constructing of the machine. Workers can’t see the plan, have to listen to managers and construct machine from available materials. Workers have to wear eyes protection (blindfolds) for construction process. Only workers can touch materials. At the beginning engineers should get information how machine will look like (equilateral triangle with 2 kinds of natural materials in the middle, like wood, stone, etc.). Tolerance for equal length of triangle sides is +/- 20 mm. Engineers should agree on instruction and then pass it to managers without words and drawings. Managers need to agree about the strategy and have to direct blindfolded workers into building the machine. At the end engineers check the result by measuring sides of triangle. SAFETY
Remind to be careful when walking blindfolded. Remove stones and sharp objects from the ground. Instruct how to move, when blindfolded. Observe safety of the blindfolded participants.
OUTDOOR ACADEMY
