Previous verbal/hands-on

Previous Verbal/Hands-on Challenges

Creature Solution

Part 1: Build a creature with materials provided
Part 2: Explain how the creature will help solve a problem and improve life on Earth.

Time:

6 minutes to build the creature. 2 minutes to make a presentation about the creature.

Supplies:

For Team: Scissors (to cut with only), Markers (to draw with only).
2 pieces of construction paper, 6 pipe cleaners, 1 styrofoam cup, 5 straws, 12" by 12" piece of aluminum foil, paper bag, 10 address labels, 5 mini-marshmallows, 2 plastic spoons.

Set-up:

Place one piece of tape about 4' long on the on the floor. This is the Start Line. Center a 1' taped square parallel to the taped line, with the closest edge of the square 1' from the line. Place the fan in this box.

Rules:

During Part 2 your team will have 1 minute to explain how the creature will help solve a problem and improve life on Earth.
You may present your solution in any way your team chooses.
Your presentation must include a name and description of your creature and an explanation of how your creature will help make Earth a better place.

Scoring:

0 or 5 points: Presentation includes a name of the creature

0 or 5 points: Presentation includes a description of the creature

1 to 10 points: Overall creativity of the creature

1 to 10 points: How well the presentation explains how the creature will make the Earth a better place

1 to 10 points: Creativity of the presentation

1 to 10 points: How well the team works together

Debriefing:

How could you have made the creature more creative?

How could the presentation have been more creative?

Did you use the materials efficiently and creatively?

Did you use the building time well to plan the presentation?

What would you do differently if you did it again?

My Imaginary Friend

Your problem is to create an imaginary friend.

You will do this by decorating a team member.

Time:

Part 1: 4 minutes to discuss the problem and decorate the team member.

Part 2: 3 minutes to give 5 responses each

Supplies:

For Team:

These items may not be damaged

3 wigs, different colors

1 purse, 1 scarf, 1 sweater

5 plastic bracelets, 1 jacket, 1 shower cap, 1 men’s tie

2 Hawaiian leis, 1 boa, 1 bandana, 1 beaded necklace

1 set bunny ears/tail

Markers /crayons

(May substitute with similar items as needed)

These items may be used in any way the team wishes

2 Paper plates

4 pieces of yarn, 12” long

1 paper cup

1 plastic spoon

2 plastic forks

Set-up:

Place items that cannot be damaged separately from the items that may be used in anyway.

Rules:

During Part I, you will have 4 minutes to discuss the challenge and create your solution.
You are allowed to ask the judges questions; however, time will continue.
You will be warned when 1 minute and when 30 seconds remain.
When Part I ends, one team member must be decorated as the imaginary friend.
In Part 2 the team has 3 minutes to give 5 responses each.
You are not allowed to talk to one another except to give responses.
The team member who is decorated must give responses as the imaginary friend.
Each of team members will take turns in order.

Scoring:

Part 1

1 to 10 points for the overall creativity of your decorations/costume.

1 to 10 points for how well you work together.

Part 2

1 point for each common response

5 points for each creative response

Debriefing:

How could you have made the imaginary friend appear more creative?

How could the responses have been more creative?

Did you use the materials efficiently and creatively?

Did you use the Part 1 time well to plan the decorations of the friend?

Did your responses take into account the appearance of the imaginary friend?

What would you do differently if you did it again?

Art imitates life

Part 1:

You will have 3 minutes to think and draw. You may begin drawing at any point in the 3 minutes you want.

You may not discuss or communicate with teammates in any way.

Using a sheet of paper and a single marker, each team member must draw any one item/thing on the paper. It may be anything they wish, but it must be a single thing or item.

Part 2:

You will have 5 minutes to respond.

Your problem is to tell a story using the drawings from part 1.

You are to tell a story about a day in the life of a character using the drawings as part of the response.

After each person uses the drawing in front of them, they will then pass the drawing to the person to the left.

Each round, a person should have a different drawing to use with their response.

No person should use the same drawing twice.

Each team member has 7 cards. After each response, you will place a card in a container. You must give responses in order until each team member no longer has any cards or until time ends, whichever occurs first.

Scoring

Common answers will receive 1 point.

Creative and humorous responses will receive 5 points.

Your turn to be torn

You will have 1 minute to think and 2 minutes to respond. You may ask questions at any time, but the clock will continue. You may not talk to each other at any time

Your team is to take turns in sequence. You may not skip your turn or repeat or pass. If one member of the team is stuck; the team is stuck.

Once the time begins, it will not be stopped. If the judge asks you to repeat a response, to clarify, or to give another response, time will continue. Speak loudly and clearly.

Your problem is to take an 8½ x 11 sheet of paper and say "what it is."

Before the paper is passed to the next team member, a piece must be torn off. The paper may be folded or altered in any way, but there must always be enough for the next team member to make a new item.

Scoring:

You will receive 1 point for each common response and 5 points for each creative or humorous response.

UFO Story

This is a two-part problem.

In part one, you will have 9 minutes to make a solution and practice.

In part two, you will have 6 minutes to present your solution to the judges.

You may talk to each other at any time or ask questions, but time continues.

PART 1:

You will be given materials to use in your solution, nothing else may be used.

Only the paper products may be altered, marked on or torn.

Your team is to use the materials given to build a UFO.

In this problem, anything that can fly will be considered a UFO, not just a "flying saucer".

PART 2:

You will tell a story about the UFO you have created in part 1, using the props you are given.

Your story must include your UFO and at least some of the props provided for you.

The story can be anything the team wants and can be presented in any way the team wants.

If your team can make the UFO "fly" for any amount of time on its own during Part 2, you will receive 20 bonus points. A team member may not throw or toss the object or blow on it directly to make it fly.

The UFO must fly on its own, not just appear to fly. It does not matter how long the UFO is in the air.

Scoring

Creativity of the UFO: 1 to 20 points

UFO flies on its own: 0 or 20 points

Creativity of the Story about the UFO:1 to 20 points

Each prop used: 1 point (max score 20 points, 20 props @ 1 pt each)

Overall Teamwork: 1 to 20 points

Setup

Give the team a bag of 20 props.

These can be anything you can find lying around the house. Make sure there are some everyday items and some wacky ones as well. Examples are shoes, socks, thermometers, hair brushes, egg whisks, etc

Also give teams the following materials to build their UFO:

4 sheets of construction paper, 2 pieces of cardboard, 8 different colored markers, 5 pieces of tape, 6"
6 mailing labels 1 piece of string, 12"
5 marbles 3 paper plates 4 paper cups

Give teams the following materials to help the UFO fly:
2 yard sticks, 1 box of any size rubber bands of varying sizes

1 piece of elastic, 2 hard back books

Paint (a story) by Numbers

This is a two-part problem.

The team will have three minutes to draw 5 pictures.

The team then will have seven minutes to prepare and present a story, using the pictures.

PART 1:

The team will draw 5 pictures between them that include the one of numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 on the cards.

The team cannot use a number more than once.

The number must be visible in the picture.

The picture can be of anything.

Team members may ask the judges questions, but time will continue.

PART 2:

Team members will place their number art on the table so that everyone can see.

The team then will prepare and present a story that incorporates each of the pictures in any order.

Number pictures can be repeated more than once in the story.

Supplies

5 pieces of card stock

A variety of magic markers and colored pencils

Scoring

The number is visible in each picture: 0 or 5 points

The artistic quality of the pictures: 1-10 points

Creativity of the story: 1-10 points

The story incorporates each number art picture: 2 points per number (max 10 points)

Bonus points can also be won if the number art picture is included in the story exactly as many times as the number in the picture (for example, a picture that contains the number 3 is included in the story exactly three times): Double points for that number (max additional 10 points)

Cup Creations

For this challenge, you will create something with the cups on the table and say something about your creation.

You will have 5 minutes to complete 14 responses.

There will be no talking during this problem, except when you are saying something about your cup creation.

You may not destroy the cups in any way.

There are 14 tokens in front of you. Before each response, you will place a token in the container on the table.

You can respond in any sequence. You may give responses until the team no longer has any tokens or until time ends, whichever occurs first. Each team member may give as many or as few responses as they wish, until the tokens run out.

Materials: 5 big cups, 5 medium cups and 5 small cups

Scoring

1 point for common answers

5 points for creative answers

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Time Capsule - 2021

Your challenge is for each of you to make something for a time capsule for the year 2021.

In part 1, you will each make an item to be placed in the time capsule.

In part 2, you will present your items to the judges

For this challenge, you will create a series of items to be placed in a Time Capsule commemorating 2021.

In part 1, you will have 6 minutes to make your items.

In part 2, you will have 3 minutes to present your solutions to the judges.

You may talk and ask questions as any time, but time will continue.

There is a set of materials in front of each of you. No other materials may be used and you may not share materials with your team members.

There are also 7 cards, 5 of which have predetermined categories and 2 blank cards that are free choice categories that can be selected by 2 members of the team. Each team member should chose of one the categories and make an item that represents that category in 2021.

Setup

Give each team member a set of materials to work with. Each set should be fairly different from the others. Give them things such a construction paper, pipe cleaners, beads, string, magic markers, etc. Also give each of them some nontraditional items. Use what you have, but make sure to give every enough items to work with.

Give the team 5 cards with a word on it ("music,” “fashion,” “health,” “activities,” “food”) and 2 blank cards. The team can decide who gets which card.

Scoring

Creativity of each item for the time capsule: 1-15 points

Creativity and originality of the teams free choice categories: 1-10 points

How well each items relates to the word: 1-10 points

Creativity and quality of each team members’ presentation of their item 1-10 points

Shape shifter

Your challenge is for each of you to draw a picture that incorporates a geometrical shape and then say something about the pictures.

This is a two-part spontaneous challenge.

In part 1, you will each modify a picture of a geometrical shape by adding to it.

In part 2, you will present the team's drawings to the judges.

Part 1:

You will have 2 minutes to work on your solution.

Each team member has a pencil and a sheet of paper with a shape on it in front of you.

When time starts turn the paper over so that you can see the shape.

You then have two minutes to use the pencil and the sheet of paper with a shape on it to each make a drawing.

You many not talk to each other during Part 1.

You may ask questions of the judge, but questions count against your drawing time, and time will continue.

At the end of Part 1, each team member will place his or her drawing in the center of the table.

The drawings will be scored for creativity, however the scores will not be shared with the team

Part 2:

You will have 5 minutes to give responses to the drawings you have made.

The team will have 35 tokens in front of them on the table.

Each time team members make a response they place a token in the container with the corresponding shape on it.

Team members may make make as many or as few responses as they wish.

However only 5 responses may be made about each drawing.

Setup

Give each team member, face down, a sheet of paper with a different geometric shape on it, and a pencil..

Give the team 35 tokens for responding

Provide 7 containers that are labelled with one of the seven shapes that are printed on the sheets of paper.

Pair this!

Your challenge is for each of you to say something about a pair of objects you draw, sight unseen, from a box.

This is a verbal hands-on challenge.

Procedure

You will have 7 minutes to select pairs of items from the box, combine them and then say something about them.

The team will have 35 tokens in front of them on the table.

Each time a team member takes a pair of items from the box and makes a response they place a token in the container and then replace the pair of items back in the box.

Team members may make make as many or as few responses as they wish.

Setup

Place 10 random small items in a cardboard box with two holes cut in it so that the team members hand may fit through them when holding an item.

Give the team 35 tokens for responding and a container for the items to be placed in.

Note: To make harder, have team members remove items and make responses whilst blindfolded.

Scoring

Common responses: 1 point

Creative or humorous responses: 4 points

Debrief

Try video recording the session and have team score themselves

String us along!

Your challenge is to manipulate pieces of string and then say something about them.

This is a verbal hands-on challenge.

Procedure

Each of you has 5 lengths of string in front of you. Your challenge is to improvise with the strings and say something about what you have made. For example, you could pretend it is a pile of spaghetti and say “Waiter, this pasta is magnificent!”.

The team will have 35 tokens in front of them on the table.

Each time a team member makes a response they place a token in the container.

Team members may make make as many or as few responses as they wish.

Setup

Place 5 pieces of string or thin rope of variable lengths in front of each team member.

Give the team 35 tokens for responding and a container for the items to be placed in.

Scoring

Common responses: 1 point

Creative or humorous responses: 4 points

Debrief

Was it better to arrange the strings on the table or to hold them up and use them?

Did using single or multiple pieces help with creativity?

Come eat with us!

Your challenge is to come up with a creative new themed restaurant and a TV advertisement with a jingle/catch-phrase to advertise it.

This is a verbal hands-on challenge.

Procedure

In this challenge, you will have 6 minutes to develop your solution.

You will then have one minute to present your solution.

You may talk and ask questions during this practice time, however, time will continue.

Your challenge is to devise a creative name for a new themed restaurant.

You need to create and present a TV Advert that will introduce your restaurant and make people want to come visit.

As part of the advert, you must also create a jingle or catch-phrase to help advertise your restaurant, which will be presented in your one minute presentation.

Examples of this jingle/catch-phrase would be the McDonald's theme song "Du, du dudu duu - I'm loving it!".

Your will present your solution using some or all of the materials on the table, some of which may be altered, whereas others may not.

Setup

These items may not be damaged

3 wigs, different colors

1 purse, 1 scarf, 1 sweater

5 plastic bracelets, 1 jacket, 1 shower cap, 1 men’s tie

2 Hawaiian leis, 1 boa, 1 bandana, 1 beaded necklace

Markers /crayons

(May substitute with similar items as needed)

These items may be used in any way the team wishes

2 Paper plates

4 pieces of yarn, 12” long

1 paper cup

1 plastic spoon

2 plastic forks

Place items that cannot be damaged separately from the items that may be used in anyway.

Scoring

1-10 points for the originality of the restaurant and its theme.

1-20 points for the originality and presentation of the TV Advert

1-20 points for creative use of materials

1-10 points for the effectiveness and creativity of the jingle/catch-phrase

1-20 points for teamwork.

Debrief

Did the team use the items creatively or follow along with their usual associations?

Did the team manage time well?

How could the presentation been more creative?

Words, words, words!

Your challenge is to make up a story.

This is a verbal hands-on challenge.

Procedure

In this challenge, you will each have 4 blank index cards.

There are 21 cards face-down on the table with words already written on them.

In part one you will have one minute to each write 4 words on your own index cards.

In part two you will have 7 minutes to tell a story using one of the cards you have written on, or one of the cards that are face down on the table.

Your challenge is to make up a story.

The story starts: "When I woke up this morning, I..."

The first team member will select a card and respond by adding to the story. Once they finish their response they place that card in the container on the table. The next team member will select a card and make a response, and so on.

The team may respond in any order, however each team member must make at least 4 responses, using the cards they have written.

You must stop at the end of 7 minutes, or when every card has been used.

Each card may be used only once, and placed in the container after use.

Setup

Print the following words on index cards, large enough for the team to read.

Division 1 Words:

Air, Cup, Hair, Boat, Ear, Hat, Car, Egg, Monkey, Cold, Five, Pig, Cook, Foot, Water, Sun, Waves, Potato, Snow, Pizza, Apple.

Division 2/3 Words:

Baking, Egg, Oxygen, Battery, Foot, Pig, Car, Hair, Pressure, Volcano, Hat, Scientist, Ear, Monkey, Water, Sunflower, Acorn, Peach, Broccoli, Cell-phone, Zombie.

Place the cards face down within reach of the team.

Give each team member 4 blank index cards and a marker.

Place a container on the table to place the used word cards in.

Scoring

1 point for each response that doesn't really add to the story.

3 points for each common response that adds to the story

5 points for creative or humorous responses that add to the story

2 bonus points for an unusual or creative word written and used by a team member

Debrief

Did the team write creative words on their cards or play it safe?

Did the team decide who would answer early or later?

How could the presentation been more creative?

Terminal shapes

Your challenge is to arrange one or more terminals and a shape to represent something, and then say what it is.

This is a verbal hands-on challenge.

Procedure

In this challenge, there are 6 items on the table to use in your solution

3 electric ring terminals and 3 cardboard shapes (a circle, a square and a triangle).

You may not change, break, tear or damage any of the items.

Your challenge is to arrange one or more ring terminals with one of the 3 shapes on the table so as to represent something, and then say what it is.

There are 35 tokens in front of you. Before making a response, you will place a token in the container on the table.

You can respond in any order. You may give responses until the team no longer has any tokens or until time ends, whichever occurs first. Each team member may give as many or as few responses as they wish, until the tokens run out.

You have 1 minute to think and 4 minutes to respond. You can ask the judges questions; however, time will continue. You cannot talk to each other at any time.

Setup

Provide 3 electric ring terminals and 3 shapes (a circle, a square and a triangle) approximately 3" in size, cut out of plain card stock.

Place the items and the tokens for responding within reach of the team.

Place a container on the table to place the tokens in.

Scoring

You will receive 1 point for each common response and 5 points for each creative response.

Debrief

Did the team make static or dynamic arrangements?

Did the team use both the terminals and the shapes in creative ways?

How could the presentation been more creative?

Archeological dig

Your challenge is to create a series of artifacts that have come from an archeological dig and then say what they are.

This is a 2-part verbal / hands-on challenge.

Procedure

This is a two-part challenge.

In Part I, you will have 3 minutes to discuss the problem and create your solution. You can ask the judges questions; however, time will continue. You will be warned when 1 minute and when 30 seconds remain.

Pretend your team is doing an archeological dig somewhere on Earth and find a series of strange artifacts. In Part I you will create the artifacts.

Each of you will create an artifact using only the materials on the table. Nothing else can be used, and you cannot use the scissors or marker as part of your solution.

There are 7 cards numbered 1-7 on the table. When Part I ends, place each artifact on the table next to one of the numbers.

In Part 2 you will have 4 minutes to give responses. Speak loudly and clearly. Once time begins it will not be stopped, even if a judge asks you to repeat a response, or to clarify it, or to give a more appropriate response.

There are 35 tokens in front of you. Before making a response, you will place a token on one of the numbered card on the table.

Your challenge in Part 2 is to say what the artifacts might be.

For example, you might say, “A vase.”

Before you respond, you must place your token on one of the numbered cards next to the artifact you are describing

Setup

Provide a pair scissors, a black magic marker and the following materials.

5 rubberbands

1 24” x 12” square of aluminum foil

5 pipe cleaners

6 straws

3 8.5” x 11” sheets of paper

2 pieces of yarn, 24”

10 cotton swabs

12 buttons,

8 plastic soda bottle caps

Scotch tape

6 small paper clips

1 ruler, 12”

The scissors and marker cannot be part of the team’s solution.

Place the tokens for responding within reach of the team.

Place 7 index cards numbered 1-7 on the table to place the tokens on.

Scoring

You will receive 1 point for each common response and 5 points for each creative response.

Debrief

Did the team plan what artifacts they would create?

Did the team use the provided materials in creative ways?

How could the descriptions of the artifacts have been more creative?

Make more difficult

Use tokens, some of which have numbers on the bottom, some of which are blank.

Team members must make responses about the specific numbered artifact if drawing a token with a number on; for the blank tokens they may chose any artifact to describe.

The Secret Life of Pets

Your challenge is to create three different pets and then tell a story about their secret life

This is a 2-part verbal / hands-on challenge.

Procedure

This is a two-part problem. In Part I, you will have 4 minutes to think, discuss the problem, and create a solution. You will be warned when 1 minute and when 30 seconds remain. You can ask the judges questions; however, time will continue. You can talk to each other at any time.

You will use only the materials on the table to create your solution. Nothing else can be used, and you cannot use the scissors as part of your solution.

Your challenge in Part I is to create three different pets.

When Part I ends, you will place the three pets on the table.

In Part 2 you will have 3 minutes to give responses. Speak loudly and clearly. Once time begins it will not be stopped, even if a judge asks you to repeat a response, or to clarify it, or to give a more appropriate response.

There are 30 tokens in front of you. Before making a response, you will place a token in the container on the table.

Your challenge in Part 2 is to tell a story about the secret life of these pets.

Setup

Provide a pair scissors, a black magic marker and the following materials.

1” cube of clay

1 24” x 12” square of aluminum foil

9 pipe cleaners

12 toothpicks

2 8 1/2” x 11” sheets of colored paper

1 string, 24”

10 cotton balls

12 cotton swabs

2 unsharpened pencils

Scotch tape

6 large paper clips

2 plastic cups, 8-12 oz.

The scissors and marker cannot be part of the team’s solution.

Place the tokens for responding within reach of the team.

Scoring

You will receive 1 point for each common response, 3 points for each creative response, and 5 points for

each highly creative response.

Debrief

Did the team plan how the pets would be different ?

Did the team use the provided materials in creative ways?

How could the presentation of the pets' secret lives have been more creative?

Monster Mash

Your challenge is to create a monster costume that can be worn by a team member.

This is a 2-part verbal / hands-on challenge.

Procedure

This is a two-part problem. In Part I, you will have 3 minutes to think, discuss the problem, and create a solution. You will be warned when 1 minute and when 30 seconds remain. You can ask the judges questions; however, time will continue. You can talk to each other at any time.

There are materials to make a costume (point to materials). You may use them in any way you wish, but you cannot damage materials placed within the taped square on the table.

Your challenge in Part I is to create a monster costume that can be worn by a team member.

When Part I ends, one team member must be wearing the monster costume.

There are 30 tokens in front of you. Before making a response, you will place a token in the container on the table.

Your challenge in Part 2 is to give a response that describes the monster, or to talk to the monster.

For example you might say, “My, what a lot of scars you have!”

The team member dressed in the costume must give responses as the monster during his/her turn.

For example the monster might say, “You think I'm scary... you should meet my Mom!"”

Setup

Place the following items within a 12" taped square on the table:

Pair of scissors

Set of colored markers

Hat

These may not be damaged or altered. The scissors and markers cannot be part of the team’s solution.

The following materials may be changed or altered in any way:

3 pieces of construction paper

10 pipe cleaners

4 paper plates

5 plastic straws

3 plastic cups, 12 oz or larger

10 cotton balls

1 cardboard box

36” colored yarn

1 roll of clear tape

Place the tokens for responding within reach of the team.

Scoring

Part 1

You will receive 1-15 points for the creative appearance of the monster

You will receive 1-15 points for how well you work together

Part 2

You will receive 1 point for each common response and 5 points for each creative response.

Debrief

How the monster have been more creative?

How were roles chosen?

Did the team use the all the provided materials

Did the team use the materials in creative ways?

Was it better to have more responses from the monster?

Mask Madness

Your challenge is to give a response about what is in your box or say what it could be used for - without being able to see it!

You will have 1 minute to think and 5 minutes respond. You may ask the judges questions; however, time will continue. You are not allowed talk to each other at any time.

Each of you has a box with an object inside. You are not allowed to look at your object and you are not allowed to tell each other what object they have. Your challenge is to give a response about what is in your box or say what it could be used for.

For example, you might hold it up to your head and say, “It’s a silly hat.”

Each of you has a surgical mask. There are also 35 tokens and a container for the tokens that is placed on the table.

During think time, you will wear your surgical mask so that it also covers your eyes. You will then open the box and feel what is inside. You will place the item back into the box when think time ends. You are allowed to ask the judges to help you find your object or pick up a token at any time.

During response time, you will wear your mask over your eyes as you respond. When you make a response, you will first place a token in the container and then pull your mask so it covers your eyes. After you respond, you must put the object back in the box before you pull the mask down from your eyes. Your object must be covered before you pull the mask down from your eyes.

Speak loudly and clearly. Once time begins, it will not be stopped, even if the judge hasn’t heard your response and asks you to say it again.

You can respond in any order. You will be finished when all of the tokens have been used or response time ends. At that time, you can look at what’s inside your box. Each team member may give as many or as few responses as they wish, until the tokens run out.

Set Up:

Prepare five boxes with lids. Place a different object in each box, and place a box at each team member’s place. The objects can be anything as long as they are not something standard such as a ball, jar, shoe, etc.; they should be items that could elicit creative responses. Make sure the objects can be taken out and put back into the box easily. Keep extras on hand if it is something that could become damaged after being handled.

Before starting think time, give each team member a surgical mask and have him or her put it on. Make sure it completely covers their eyes. Have them pull the mask down when think time ends, but only after the object is entirely in the box.

Help blindfolded team members remove and/or replace objects, if necessary.

Scoring:

You will receive one point for each common response.

If your response is considered creative or humorous by the judges, you will receive five points.

Weird Tales

Your challenge is to create and perform a humorous skit about one of four weird scenarios.

This is a 2-part challenge.

In Part I you will be given 5 minutes to think and discuss your strategy and create your solution.

You may ask questions or talk to each other at any time. Questions count against your think time.

Your challenge is to create and perform a humorous skit about one of the 4 weird scenarios.

You will be given materials to make props if you wish. You will also be given items to use as props. Markers, crayons, and scissors may not be damaged.

You must select one of the following weird scenarios:

a. You are eating dinner when suddenly one of your dining utensils begins to talk to you.

b. You are from the Stone Age and have been transported into the present day.

c. You have a dog that becomes invisible when it is wet.

d. At least one of you is stuck in a refrigerator.

In Part II you will have 3 minutes to present your skit. You may talk only as part of the performance.

Setup

Materials you may alter

1 piece of paper 8 1/2” x 11”

1 paper plate

An egg carton

3 labels

12” piece of tape

1 piece of string, 18” long

Materials you may not alter, and cannot be used in the skit

Markers, crayons and scissors

Props - may not be damaged or altered

2 different hats

A yardstick

An umbrella

A pair of sunglasses

Scoring

How well the skit relates to your chosen scenario (1 to 20 points) Creative use of props in the skit (1 to 15 points)

Creative use of materials in the skit (1 to 15 points)

Humor in the performance (1 to 15 points)

Creativity of the skit (1 to 15 points)

How well team works together (1 to 20 points)

Debrief

Try video recording the session and have team score themselves

Lost in Translation?

Your challenge is to tell a story, but only part of your team is allowed to speak!

You will have 3 minutes to think and discuss the problem and 5 minutes to respond. You are allowed ask the judges questions; however, time will continue. You are not allowed talk to each other during response time.

There are props on the table. You are not allowed damage or alter them. Nothing else can be used.

Your problem is to tell a story, but only part of your team is allowed to speak during response time.

You will pick one topic from a list of story ideas. You will then separate team members into “actors” and “translators.”

Actors will tell the story using the props, but they are not allowed to speak.

The translators will interpret the actions and tell the story to the judges.

There is a stack of translator cards. A translator, before giving a response, must place one of the cards in the container before adding to the story. Translators can play a card and give a response at any time and in any order once the story begins.

After the judge says “Begin” one or more actors will start presenting the beginning of the story. A translator will then place a card in the container and interpret that action for the judges. This will continue until the translators have used all their cards or until time ends.

Once time begins it will not be stopped. You should not repeat a response that has already been given. You will be finished when response time ends or when you have used all your translator cards.

Setup

Props: a clock, small paper bag, women’s high-heeled shoe, shoelace, piece of wood (similar to shelving), sock, dress, small toy horse, large stuffed animal, scarf, sunglasses, a beach towel.

Label one side of the table "Actors", the opposite side "Translators"

Place a container for the translator cards to be placed in on the translator side of the table.

Write the following story ideas on a large piece of paper:

1. Avoiding going to school

2. Caring for a child

3. Teaching someone to ride a bike

4. Seeing a ghost

5. Helping an elderly person

6. Hiking up a mountain

Scoring

You will receive:

1 point for each common response

3 points for each creative response

5 points for each highly creative response. (The action and its translation will be considered one response.)

1-15 points for how well your team works together.

Debrief

Have the team video themselves.

Consider how the team separated into groups, did they share cards, delegate duties, or did they rely on one team member to do all the work?

Did they plan out a storyline together?

Did the team build off of each other’s responses to create an actual story line?

Did the team use the props creatively or follow along with their usual associations?

Did the team manage time well?

How could the presentation been more creative?

What was creative?

Examples of Common Responses:

• Translations/actions that don’t make sense.

• Translations/actions that are not associated to the previous one and/or don’t add to the story.

• Translations/actions that do not enhance the story and/or have little or nothing to do with the props.

Examples of Creative/Highly Creative Responses:

• Original or humorous translations/actions that continue the storyline.

• Translations/actions that continue the storyline and allow an opportunity to change it seamlessly.

• Clever/unexpected “twists” to the plot.

• Unexpected or humorous connections with the props.

• Translations/actions that changed a known story (i.e. Goldilocks) but made it fit a chosen theme.

• Responses that bring the story back to topic after a previous response goes off topic, doesn’t make sense, etc.

Bottle recycling

Your challenge is to say something about the bottles or improvise with them and show ways they could be used.

You have 1 minute to think and discuss the problem, and 5 minutes to give responses. You can talk and ask the judges questions during think time; however, time will continue. You are not allowed to talk to each other during response time.

There are various bottles on the table. You can use as many of them as you wish in your responses.

Your challenge is to say something about the bottles or improvise with them and show ways they could be used.

For example, you might say, “I could put a message in one of them” or you might put a bottle up to your mouth and say “I could use this as a trumpet.”

Before making a response you will place a response token in the container. Each team member may make as many or as few responses as they wish. More than one team member may use the bottle(s) as part of a single response.

You will be finished when response time ends or when you have used all of your response tokens.

Setup

Place a series of different bottles on the table

Place 35 response tokens and a container within reach of the team.

Scoring

You will receive:

1 point for each common response

5 points for each creative response

Debrief

Have the team video themselves.

Did the team use the bottles creatively or follow along with their usual associations?

Did the team take advantage of using more than one team member as part of a response?

Did the team manage time well?

What's in Your Closet?

Your challenge is to tell a story that incorporates items, found in your closet.

You will have 1 minute to think and discuss the problem and 5 minutes to respond. You may ask the judges questions; however, time will continue. You are not allowed talk to each other during response time.

Your challenge is to tell a story that incorporates these items (point to items).

The first team member will put a token in the container, select an item and give a response that starts the story. The next team member will put a token in the container, select a different item, give a response that adds to the story, and so on. For example, you could hold up this piece of wood (hold up wood) and say, “I found a hidden shelf in my closet.” The next team member could pick up the shoe and say, “It’s where I hide my shoes.”

Your team is not allowed to use the same item two times in a row and you are not allowed to damage any of the items.

Before making a response you will place a response token in the container. Each team member may make as many or as few responses as they wish.

You will be finished when response time ends or when you have used all of your response tokens.

Setup

Place the following items on a table: a watch, hat, shoe, shoelace, piece of wood (similar to shelving), sock, dress, small toy horse, small stuffed animal, sunglasses.

Place 35 response tokens and a container within reach of the team.

Scoring

You will receive:

1 point for each common response

3 points for each creative response,

5 points for each highly creative response.

Responses will be judged on creativity and how well they add to the story.

You will receive 1 to 15 points for the overall creativity of your story.

When scoring overall creativity of the story, consider originality, variety of responses, how items are incorporated, improvisation, etc.

Examples of Common Responses:

Statements that do not make sense.

Statements not associated to the previous one.

Statements that are plausible but do not add to the story.

Statements similar to a previous one.

General descriptive statements (for example, “I’m wearing sunglasses”).

Statements that add to the story but are predictable.

Examples of Creative Responses:

Original, unexpected or humorous statements that continue the story.

Incorporating the item in an interesting way.

Statements that continue the story and allow an opportunity to change the story completely.

Statements that rhyme and continue the story.

Unusual or humorous comments about a previous response.

Puns, for example, putting the dress on the horse and referring to it as a “clothes horse.”

NOTE: Once a response is given, if the same or a very similar response is given, count it as common only. Do not interrupt the team. Time continues.

Debrief

Have the team video themselves.

Did the team use the items creatively or follow along with their usual associations?

Did the team manage time well?

Story Time

Your challenge is to tell a story while incorporating items into the story.

This is a two-part problem. In Part I, you will have 3 minutes to discuss the problem, create a solution, and practice.

In Part II, you will have 3 minutes to solve the problem.

You are allowed to ask the judges questions; however, time will continue. You cannot talk to one another in Part II.

Your challenge is to tell a story that incorporates these items (point to items).

You are allowed to use the items as you wish, but nothing else may be used. You are not allowed to damage items marked with a yellow label. (Point to label).

You are allowed to practice as you wish in Part I. In Part II, you will give responses in any order. The first person will give a response that begins the story. The next personwill give a response that adds to the story, and so on.

Your team is not allowed to use the same item two times in a row and you are not allowed to damage any of the items.

Before making a response you will place a response token in the container. Each team member may make as many or as few responses as they wish.

You will be finished when response time ends or when you have used all of your response tokens.

Setup

Place the following items on a table:

4 oz. small, uncooked pasta, ex. Macaroni in a plastic cup

2 plastic cups

1 paper plate

4 sheets 8 ó” x 11” paper

1 piece of aluminum foil, 12”

1 string of yarn, 36”

*3 unsharpened pencils

*1 small saucepan

*2 wooden blocks

*1 soup ladle

*Mark these items with a yellow label.

Place 35 response tokens and a container within reach of the team.

Scoring

You will receive:

1 point for each common response without using an item

3 points for each common response while using an item —OR— a creative response without using an item.

5 points for each creative response while using an item.

Responses will be judged on creativity and how well they add to the story.

You will receive 1 to 15 points for the overall creativity of your story.

Judges

When scoring overall creativity of the story, consider originality, variety of responses, how items are incorporated, improvisation, etc.

Examples of Common Responses:

Statements that do not make sense.

Statements that are not associated to the previous one.

Statements that are plausible but do not add to the story.

Statements similar to previous ones.

General statements (for example, “Oh, well”).

Statements that add to the story but are predictable.

Examples of Creative Responses:

Original, unexpected or humorous statements that continue the story.

Incorporating the items in an interesting way e.g. creating sound effects, or incorporating actions that match the story.

Statements that continue the story and allow an opportunity to change the story completely.

Statements that rhyme and continue the story.

Unusual or humorous comments about a previous response.

Puns or clever use of words that add to the story.

Debrief

Have the team video themselves.

Did the team use the items creatively or follow along with their usual associations?

Did the team manage time well?