Rubberband Cup Stack

Object of the Game 

The object of the game is to build a 3-2-1 pyramid with cups, while stacking using only a rubberband and string. 

Possible Goal and Debrief/Reflection Questions

1. Focus Area/Goal: Problem solving 

Debrief:

1. Describe the techniques or methods your group used to come up with a plan for building the pyramid. 

2. How did your team decide which idea(s) to try?  Were there any disagreements?  Was there consensus? 

3. Did your group solve the problem collaboratively or did individual team members take over? 

 2.   Focus Area/Goal:  Cooperation and Team Effort

Debrief: 

1. How did you create an environment where everyone was encouraged to participate and allowed to be successful? 

2. How did your group provide and receive feedback? 

3. How did team dynamics evolve over the course of the challenge? Was there anything that would have impacted anyone’s ability to be fully cooperative? 

Instructions

1. Divide into groups of 4-6 people.  

2. Give each person a small piece of string (1 1/2 -2 feet) 

3. Give the group 1 stack of 6 cups 

4. Tell the group that the object is to build a 3-2-1 pyramid with the cups, but that no hands are allowed to touch the cups.  Only the rubberband and string can touch the cups, 

5. Everyone must be holding on to at least 1 piece of string that is attached to the rubberband in some manner. 

6. If a cup falls over, they may continue building the pyramid if they can do so without using their hands to move the cups. 

Differentiation Options:

• Have them build a larger or smaller pyramid. 

• Have them put a pen inside the rubber band and then try writing words. 

Materials & Resources

1. Rubber bands

2. String

3. Cups

Credits: I honestly don’t know where I got this, but it is similar to the toxic waste transfer challenge from Project Adventure conference session