Go to Post The point of FIRST is not to create pretty robots. It's to teach kids about science, technology, and engineering. - Cory [more]
Home
Go Back   Chief Delphi > FIRST > General Forum
CD-Media   CD-Spy  
portal register members calendar search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read FAQ rules

 
Reply
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #1   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 07-11-2012, 12:30
snowmobiler9's Avatar
snowmobiler9 snowmobiler9 is offline
Former Team Captain
AKA: Hunter Clark
FRC #0706 (Cyberhawks)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Rookie Year: 2010
Location: Hartland
Posts: 43
snowmobiler9 is on a distinguished road
Smile Team building activity ideas!

Hey guys. Team 706 held a team building activity at it's last meeting. It involved using a set amount of hard spaghetti noddles and tape to create the tallest structure possible that can hold a marshmallow. It was a huge success and everyone (even the mentors) got involved!

I was wondering if you guys had any other ideas for fun team building activities.
Reply With Quote
  #2   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 07-11-2012, 14:48
hiyou102's Avatar
hiyou102 hiyou102 is offline
Registered User
no team
Team Role: Alumni
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Rookie Year: 2000
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 107
hiyou102 has much to be proud ofhiyou102 has much to be proud ofhiyou102 has much to be proud ofhiyou102 has much to be proud ofhiyou102 has much to be proud ofhiyou102 has much to be proud ofhiyou102 has much to be proud ofhiyou102 has much to be proud of
Re: Team building activity ideas!

We did the exact same thing for the past two years. It works quite well and keeps people entertained.
__________________
Team 4334 2012-2014
Reply With Quote
  #3   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 07-11-2012, 15:39
SenorZ's Avatar
SenorZ SenorZ is offline
Physics Teacher
AKA: Tom Zook
FRC #4276 (Surf City Vikings)
Team Role: Teacher
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Rookie Year: 2011
Location: Huntington Beach, California
Posts: 945
SenorZ has a reputation beyond reputeSenorZ has a reputation beyond reputeSenorZ has a reputation beyond reputeSenorZ has a reputation beyond reputeSenorZ has a reputation beyond reputeSenorZ has a reputation beyond reputeSenorZ has a reputation beyond reputeSenorZ has a reputation beyond reputeSenorZ has a reputation beyond reputeSenorZ has a reputation beyond reputeSenorZ has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Team building activity ideas!

We do that in my physics class first week... But we use marshmallows rather than tape!
Reply With Quote
  #4   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 07-11-2012, 15:44
Rangel's Avatar
Rangel Rangel is offline
John Rangel
FRC #0842 (Falcon Robotics)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Rookie Year: 2009
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 745
Rangel has a reputation beyond reputeRangel has a reputation beyond reputeRangel has a reputation beyond reputeRangel has a reputation beyond reputeRangel has a reputation beyond reputeRangel has a reputation beyond reputeRangel has a reputation beyond reputeRangel has a reputation beyond reputeRangel has a reputation beyond reputeRangel has a reputation beyond reputeRangel has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Team building activity ideas!

We didn't do this in robotics but in physics we split up into pairs and build mousetrap cars. I imagine it would be pretty fun to see who can make the best one.
__________________
2012 Dean's List Winner
2011-2014 Arizona Regional Winners
2016 Las Vegas Regional Winner
2014-? Mentor


Reply With Quote
  #5   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 07-11-2012, 15:51
Jon Stratis's Avatar
Jon Stratis Jon Stratis is offline
Mentor, LRI, MN RPC
FRC #2177 (The Robettes)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Rookie Year: 2006
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 3,834
Jon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond reputeJon Stratis has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Team building activity ideas!

Here are two for you:
- Build a bridge out of newspaper and masking tape, and see whose can hold the most. We used text books to test ours, and it's pretty impressive what some newspaper can hold up!
- Give each team a roll of tape, a set number of balloons, and a time limit. Who can build the tallest standalone structure?
__________________
2007 - Present: Mentor, 2177 The Robettes
LRI: North Star 2012-2016; Lake Superior 2013-2014; MN State Tournament 2013-2014, 2016; Galileo 2016; Iowa 2017
2015: North Star Regional Volunteer of the Year
2016: Lake Superior WFFA
Reply With Quote
  #6   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 07-11-2012, 20:02
Alex.q Alex.q is offline
Registered User
FRC #2220 (Blue Twilight)
Team Role: Alumni
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Rookie Year: 2008
Location: Eagan, Minnesota
Posts: 162
Alex.q is on a distinguished road
Re: Team building activity ideas!

I always tried to lawyer the difference in tallest and highest, then tape mine to the ceiling and build downwards

We have done a set amount of tape and paper and tried to build the tallest structure. I know some teams have built Rube Goldbergs, but those take awhile to design and implement; not the kind of thing you can do at the beginning of a meeting.
Reply With Quote
  #7   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 07-11-2012, 20:03
EricH's Avatar
EricH EricH is offline
New year, new team
FRC #1197 (Torbots)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Rookie Year: 2003
Location: SoCal
Posts: 19,823
EricH has a reputation beyond reputeEricH has a reputation beyond reputeEricH has a reputation beyond reputeEricH has a reputation beyond reputeEricH has a reputation beyond reputeEricH has a reputation beyond reputeEricH has a reputation beyond reputeEricH has a reputation beyond reputeEricH has a reputation beyond reputeEricH has a reputation beyond reputeEricH has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Team building activity ideas!

Plastic straws and paper clips. Build the tallest free-standing structure you can with a given amount.
__________________
Past teams:
2003-2007: FRC0330 BeachBots
2008: FRC1135 Shmoebotics
2012: FRC4046 Schroedinger's Dragons

"Rockets are tricky..."--Elon Musk

Reply With Quote
  #8   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 07-11-2012, 21:34
Samwaldo's Avatar
Samwaldo Samwaldo is offline
College Student / Between Teams
no team
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Rookie Year: 2010
Location: Brookfield, CT
Posts: 205
Samwaldo is a splendid one to beholdSamwaldo is a splendid one to beholdSamwaldo is a splendid one to beholdSamwaldo is a splendid one to beholdSamwaldo is a splendid one to beholdSamwaldo is a splendid one to beholdSamwaldo is a splendid one to behold
Re: Team building activity ideas!

We did this activity when we presented in front of future teachers, at Western Connecticut State University. We taught them about STEM and FIRST. After our presentation we did the activity with them BUT for every stick of spaghetti, and every inch of tape, it costed a certain amount of money (it was just recorded on a sheet, no wallets were actually taken out). Every time they came up for more materials the cost was higher. In total they had 25 minutes and the goal was to support a ping pong ball 30 inches or higher using the least amount of money.

surprisingly no one got it (1 group was half an inch short, and 1 group's kept falling). This activity though taught them about, budgets, making a plan first, time limits, competition, teamwork, never giving up and more. Many aspects of FIRST.

It was a huge hit with the audience. A week later we got a letter that after we left they had so much fun, they continued to discuss how to improve upon there designs. They also mentioned that the students on the team were better public speakers and more interesting than their professors. (It really made me realize how much I am getting out of FIRST)
__________________
Team 1099, The DiscoTechs, 10' - 14'
Driver 11' - 14'................Team Captain 13' - 14'


University of Hartford Class of 2018, Mechanical Engineer
2015 & 2016 NE District Volunteer
Reply With Quote
  #9   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 07-11-2012, 22:45
CKane CKane is offline
Registered User
AKA: Caroline Kane
FRC #0068 (Truck Town Thunder)
Team Role: CAD
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Rookie Year: 2011
Location: Ortonville
Posts: 4
CKane is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Team building activity ideas!

Quote:
Originally Posted by snowmobiler9 View Post
Hey guys. Team 706 held a team building activity at it's last meeting. It involved using a set amount of hard spaghetti noddles and tape to create the tallest structure possible that can hold a marshmallow. It was a huge success and everyone (even the mentors) got involved!

I was wondering if you guys had any other ideas for fun team building activities.
Team 68 has done really cool team bonding activities for the past two years. Last year we did an overnight at a camp where we did high ropes courses, went on a zip line and a bunch of other team bonding activities. This year we went and did a rock wall/high ropes course.
Reply With Quote
  #10   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 07-11-2012, 22:48
BJC's Avatar
BJC BJC is offline
Simplicity is Complicated!
AKA: Bryan Culver
FRC #0033 (The Killer Bees)
Team Role: Alumni
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Rookie Year: 2009
Location: Kettering/Greenville
Posts: 708
BJC has a reputation beyond reputeBJC has a reputation beyond reputeBJC has a reputation beyond reputeBJC has a reputation beyond reputeBJC has a reputation beyond reputeBJC has a reputation beyond reputeBJC has a reputation beyond reputeBJC has a reputation beyond reputeBJC has a reputation beyond reputeBJC has a reputation beyond reputeBJC has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Team building activity ideas!

If you’re looking for a fun, valuable, single meeting project this is one that our mentor IKE did with 33 a while back.

The idea is to have the team break into subteams and come up with a paper airplane which flies the furthest/ beats the mentor. This only requires computer paper (3-4 sheets per group) and a open place like a hallway. Groups should be small, 4-5 people to a group max to keep all students involved. Students get 10 minutes to build their first airplanes. When up, one student from each group lines up in the hall to throw. Students then get 5 more minutes to change, rebuild, or practice. When time's up throw again. This time the mentor throws too. He crumples up a sheet of paper and throws (presumably) further than any of the others.

The more important part of the exercise is the lesson the students should take away. Observe which designs went furthest, which were most consistent and compare them to FRC robots. Also stress how those who were able to practice beforehand did much, much better than those whose first time was for real (at the competition).

The biggest lesson they should take away from the exercise is not to overcomplicate the problem. How to get the sheet of paper the furthest down the hall? An actual paper airplane would almost certainly beat a ball of paper if time was given to develop it. However, the ball is the much better more consistent option given the time constraints. More often than not the same holds true for FRC.

Anyways, my team found it very valuable for only the 45 minutes it took to do. I would personally recommend it to all teams both young and old as a fun learning experience.

Regards, Bryan
__________________
robot robot robot? Robot. Robot? Robot!
-----------------Team 33------------------
Reply With Quote
  #11   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 07-11-2012, 22:49
JosephC's Avatar
JosephC JosephC is offline
FF: Breakfast Company
AKA: Joseph Cupchack
no team (FiM Volunteer Extraordinaire)
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Rookie Year: 2011
Location: Waterford, Michigan
Posts: 1,752
JosephC has a reputation beyond reputeJosephC has a reputation beyond reputeJosephC has a reputation beyond reputeJosephC has a reputation beyond reputeJosephC has a reputation beyond reputeJosephC has a reputation beyond reputeJosephC has a reputation beyond reputeJosephC has a reputation beyond reputeJosephC has a reputation beyond reputeJosephC has a reputation beyond reputeJosephC has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Team building activity ideas!

Quote:
Originally Posted by EricH View Post
Plastic straws and paper clips. Build the tallest free-standing structure you can with a given amount.
We did this put with toothpicks and marshmellows
__________________
Referee: 2015 - ?
Field Reset/Supervisor: 2013 - ?
68 Team Member: 2011 - 2013
Reply With Quote
  #12   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 07-11-2012, 22:54
Jacob.B's Avatar
Jacob.B Jacob.B is offline
Registered User
FRC #0068 (Truck Town Thunder)
Team Role: Alumni
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Rookie Year: 2012
Location: Holly, MI
Posts: 67
Jacob.B has much to be proud ofJacob.B has much to be proud ofJacob.B has much to be proud ofJacob.B has much to be proud ofJacob.B has much to be proud ofJacob.B has much to be proud ofJacob.B has much to be proud ofJacob.B has much to be proud of
Re: Team building activity ideas!

And stacking tables wasn't allowed!
__________________
2012 Championship Newton Division Finalists—Thanks 330 and 639!
2013 Kettering University District Chairman's Award Winners!
2014 Great Lakes Bay Region District Winners—Thanks 288, 4819, and 5166!
2014 Waterford District Chairman's Award Winners!
2014 Michigan FRC State Championship Chairman's Award Winners!
2015 Center Line District Chairman's Award Winners!
2015 Lansing District Winners—Thanks 314 and 1684!
2015 FIRST in Michigan District Championship Chairman's Award Winners!




Reply With Quote
  #13   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 07-11-2012, 23:03
CKane CKane is offline
Registered User
AKA: Caroline Kane
FRC #0068 (Truck Town Thunder)
Team Role: CAD
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Rookie Year: 2011
Location: Ortonville
Posts: 4
CKane is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Team building activity ideas!

We played Angry Birds with Shoe boxes and stuffed birds!
Reply With Quote
  #14   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 07-11-2012, 23:38
dcarr's Avatar
dcarr dcarr is offline
#HoldStrong
AKA: David Carr
FRC #3309 (Friarbots)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Rookie Year: 2009
Location: Anaheim
Posts: 955
dcarr has a reputation beyond reputedcarr has a reputation beyond reputedcarr has a reputation beyond reputedcarr has a reputation beyond reputedcarr has a reputation beyond reputedcarr has a reputation beyond reputedcarr has a reputation beyond reputedcarr has a reputation beyond reputedcarr has a reputation beyond reputedcarr has a reputation beyond reputedcarr has a reputation beyond repute
Re: Team building activity ideas!

Quote:
Originally Posted by BJC View Post
If you’re looking for a fun, valuable, single meeting project this is one that our mentor IKE did with 33 a while back.

...

Anyways, my team found it very valuable for only the 45 minutes it took to do. I would personally recommend it to all teams both young and old as a fun learning experience.

Regards, Bryan
We attempted this activity last year...and a couple of student had either done it before, or guessed the outcome, and somewhat spoiled the takeaway of the activity for the rest of the students I like it though, and we'll probably try it again with clearer guidance and execution.
__________________
Team 3309
2016 Los Angeles Chairman's Award Winner
2016 Orange County Regional Winner with 3476 & 6220
Team3309.org
Orange County Robotics Alliance
Reply With Quote
  #15   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 08-11-2012, 06:42
North Sailor's Avatar
North Sailor North Sailor is offline
NTH - Head Business Mentor
AKA: Nathan
FRC #1885 (ILITE)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Rookie Year: 2008
Location: Reston, VA
Posts: 52
North Sailor is a jewel in the roughNorth Sailor is a jewel in the roughNorth Sailor is a jewel in the roughNorth Sailor is a jewel in the rough
Re: Team building activity ideas!

One of my favorite team building exercises to have my student do is the magic carpet.

Needed Materials:
  • Tarp/Blanket
Start by telling the entire team to stand on the blanket/tarp. No part of any body can be directly touching the ground.

After everyone is on, tell them that you realized the instructions to fly the carpet are on the other side of the blanket.

The task is to flip the blanket over without anyone touching the ground.

It works great for teaching communication skills, delegation, and is very physical. Plus the team gets really close (literally). Even if they don't succeed entirely (which is possible based on the size of the blanket/tarp compared to the number of people) they will likely manage to reduce the size of the blanket they are standing on in half. If they don't succeed but reduce the standing area, highlight how much they grew as a team even by doing that, since odds are they struggled a bit in the first place to fit everyone on the blanket with the entire area.

**Remember the key to success for a good team building exercise is a good facilitator and a period of reflection. Without a summary to the lesson, often the time is wasted in the long run.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:52.

The Chief Delphi Forums are sponsored by Innovation First International, Inc.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © Chief Delphi