The magic stick

Outcomes

Analysing information, generating ideas, working co-operatively and leadership skills

Aims

To lower a light pole (a bamboo cane is perfect) to the ground with all the participants retaining contact with the pole.

Rules

  1. All participants must balance the stick with two fingers (one on each hand). The stick should be balanced on the back of each finger.
  2. No-one is allowed to loose contact with the stick.
  3. If contact is lost the game should be restarted.

 Teacher Tips

  1. Normally, as everyone is trying to keep in contact with the stick, the stick will get pushed upwards. As the stick moves upwards everyone will move their hands in the same direction causing the stick to shoot up in the air and look like it is floating away.
  2. After the first attempt get the team into a circle to work out how they can do it better.  Do this periodically to encourage communication and planning.
  3.  This is a great game for groups that blame each other or have a negative attitude to each other. The group will often blame each other but this can be stopped by showing them why the stick ‘floats’ each person in the group pushing it up slowly). This will show them that one person is never to blame and educate them that blaming is never a good thing in team work.
  4.  Younger groups can be told that the stick is ‘magic’ and it can read their minds. If the participants think positive thoughts the stick will go down. If they think negative thoughts the stick will float away. This often works as it calms the group down and allows them to be more aware and sensitive to the sticks movements. You can then tell them the truth after the task has been done.
  5.  You can also try this blindfolded to increase focus, improve listening and remove dstractions.
  6. This can be done as a race.
  7. If groups find it impossible, try making the team smaller, groups of 4 should find it easy, 6 and above becomes  a challenge - ask them why this is.
  8. Try it first – it is a real challenge!