Creative thinking strategies. To be creative is to resolve yourself from old solutions, old truths and find new solutions and new ways to handle situations and resolve problems. Creative thinking skills are definitely not just for 'creative types' like artists and musicians. Everyone can benefit from creative thinking from time to time.

Marshmallow challenge is a group activity in wich the trainee will use creative thinking in a fun and challenge way. The challenge is originally designed by Tom Wujec.

It emphasizes group communication, leadership dynamics, collaboration, innovation and problem solving strategy. It teaches a lean approach to risk management and the value of continuous experimentation - to reduce waste. Recommended for teams new to agile.

• This is a group exercise to practise creative thinking “out of the box”.
• Teambuilding activity, perfect to use if you have a new group, because it requires collaboration to complete the task.

The ideal number is 4-5 persons in a group but from 2 persons is possible.

Preparations and then the actual challenge is 18 minutes followed by discussions so about an hour in total depending on how many groups there are and how much discussion there is after the challenge. 45-90 min.

For each group: 20 sticks of spaghetti, one meter of tape, one meter of string, and one marshmallow, you may also have an envelope/paper bag for each group to put the material it in just for the surprise but it is not necessary. One measuring tape. Something for the winning team. Music if you like.

Each team should sit around a table.

1. Divide into groups 

2. Give the instructions. Be clear and concise about the goals and rules of the challenge. Build the tallest freestanding structure: The winning team is the one that has the tallest structure measured either from the tabletop surface or from floor to the top of the marshmallow. That means the structure cannot be suspended from a higher structure, like a chair, ceiling or chandelier. The entire marshmallow must be on top: The entire marshmallow needs to be on the top of the structure. Cutting or eating part of the marshmallow disqualifies the team. Use as much or as little of the kit as needed: Teams can use as many or as few of the 20 spaghetti sticks as needed, and as much or as little of the string or tape. The team cannot use the paper bag / envelope as part of their structure. Break up the spaghetti, string or tape: Teams are free to break the spaghetti or cut the tape and string to create new structures. The challenge lasts 18 minutes: Teams cannot hold on to the structure when the time runs out. Those touching or supporting the structure at the end of the exercise will be disqualified. Ensure everyone understands the rules: Repeat the rules if necessary and ask if anyone has any questions before starting.

3. Start the countdown clock and music at the start of the challenge.

4. Remind the teams of the time: Countdown the time. It can be effective to call out the time at 12 minutes, 9 minutes (halfway), 7 minutes, 5 minutes, 3 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute, 30 seconds and a ten-second countdown. Call out how the teams are doing: Let the entire group know how the teams are progressing. Call out each time a team builds a standing structure. Build a friendly rivalry. Encourage participants to look around, and don’t be afraid to raise the energy and the stakes. Remind the teams that holders will be disqualified:  The winning structure needs to be stable.

5. Measure the structures from the shortest standing structure to the tallest and identify a winner.

6. After the challenge the discussion takes place. Here are suggested reflection questions for the group.

• How did we work as a group?
• What role did I take? How did I contribute? Is there anything I held off from doing? Why?
• Who took the leadership in the group? How did it manifest in different moments?
• What did I learn about myself and my behaviour? About other people and their behaviour? About the behaviour of groups?
• What insights can I take from this experience that I could apply in other contexts?

7. Optional, finish with the Marshmallow TED talk. It has subtitles in several languages.
https://www.ted.com/talks/tom_wujec_build_a_tower_build_a_team/transcript?language=en 

 

 

To be updated later.

• Exercise 1
• Choose the correct answer to complete the sentence.
  
  The marshmallow challenge is:
  
  1. A challenge to eat as many marshmallows you can in 18 minutes.
  2. A challenge for kindergarten
  3. A creative teambuilding activity
  
  (the right answer is c)
• Exercise 2
• Put the following statements in the right order according to how you use the tool!
  
  
  • Discuss your behaviour in the group
  • Build a tower
  • Watch TED talk
  • Measure the buildings
  • Divide into groups
  • Understand the rules
  
  
  
  
• Interactive exercise 1
• 
  

  The marshmallow challenge is:

  
  

   A challenge to eat as many marshmallows you can in 18 minutes

   A challenge for kindergarten

   A creative teambuilding activity

  Submit
• Interactive exercise 2
• 
  

  CORRECT WORD ORDER

  Put the following statements in the right order according to how you use the tool!

  
  

  Watch TED talk

  Build a tower

  Understand the rules

  Measure the buildings

  Divide into groups

  Discuss your behaviour in the group

  Submit