Physics

The Self Raising Stick

This is such fun and useful in many more categories than just this one.

Required is one wooden or light weight handle for a long brush or mop.

Stand people in two rows, one either side of the handle and they each support the secion of handle infront of them with either one or two fingers.

You should be stood close as you will need to reset the height of the stick often. Keep your hand on the stich applying a very light downward pressure.

Ask the people to keep contact with the stick at all times, but, to jointky lower the stick.

The task seams simple but there is an almost certain chance that the stick will raise.

Ask why and watch the dynamic of the group.......;

• Some will offer advice
• Some will be quiet
• Everyone will try
• You reset the stick height
• Listen to the offered reasons and analyse these to understand more about the person saying whatever is said and the reactions of the other part of the team.
• You may get a leader who facilitates the aim. With us it was done by dramatically reducing the amount of movement and ordering the steps and actions.

An Example of Diverse thinking

While considering the solar system a student offeres a statement that the moon, while orbiting around the Earth actually moves in an elyptical form. When asked why, they drew on the board the sun, the Earth and the moon in two positions either side of the Earth. They went on to explain that the moon, while closer to the sun was infact being acted upon by the Earth pulling it closer and the sun pulling it in the opposite direction towards itself.

On the other hand while the moon is on the far side of the Earth away from the sun, both the Earths pull and the suns pull are in the same direction so its logical to believe the orbit will take the moon closer to the Earth...I love it....