TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITY:  THE MAZE

By-Kimberly Olstein, North Haven Middle School
Submitted: July 2001

TEACHER NOTE:  The maze (outlined at the bottom of this activity) should be taped down to the floor.  Each box of the maze should be large enough to fit a student standing.  At the end of the maze place a jar full of candy as a reward for the class once they completed their mission.  I used monopoly money as the $2 million budget which was given to the students at the start of this activity.

Introduction:  You are inhabitants of South Africa.  Your country is plagued with HIV/AIDS.  The United States has promised to grant your country money to treat nearly one fifth of your population, infected with this communicable disease, if you complete the mission set before you. 

  You have been given a budget of $2 million.  Your objective is to navigate your way through this maze.  It is very important for you to take this mission seriously since the lives of so many people depend on your success.  The maze is full of obstacles and pitfalls as well as opportunities.  There is only one safe path through, which I know because I have the map.  Through trial and error, your job is to find the right path through this maze and get everyone across safely.  Good Luck!!

*  HAVE ALL STUDENTS IN THE CLASS STAND ON THE “START” SIDE OF THE MAZE.

Rules:  (Read aloud and write on your classroom board for students to see throughout this activity)

1.     You have 5 minutes to plan (Free of cost).

2.     You have 20 minutes to silently attempt this mission.

3.     After 5 minutes of plan time, you may not talk!

4.     The penalty for talking is $100,000.

5.     Your team may purchase 5 minutes of planned talk time for $100,000.

6.     You must decide the sequence in which group members will attempt the path in advance!  You are required to stick to your sequence throughout this mission.

7.     Only one person may be in the maze at a time.

8.     You must leave the maze by the same path you entered.

9.     You may never step over a square.  Any contiguous move is acceptable.

10. When I sound a buzzer, it indicates you have made an incorrect move.  My silence indicates a safe move.

MAZE SOLUTION:

START

FINISH