Purpose: Opener to activate creativity and open-mindedness
Audience Size: Any. Divide people into partners or triads.
Time: 5-10 minutes
Materials: 7 large wooden matchsticks per team
Budget: Cost of matchsticks
Process:
- Show the group seven matchsticks in a horizontal line. (May use an overhead or PowerPoint slide.) Have each team line up their matchsticks to replicate the example.
- Tell the teams to move only three matchsticks to create a powerful acronym. (If the group is unfamiliar with the term acronym, give an example such as ASAP.)
- Let them struggle with this task for no longer than three minutes. Then ask for any volunteers to share the acronym they created. (Usually none have been created.)
- Reveal the acronym TNT by moving the second match stick to the top of the first to make a T, moving the fourth stick diagonally to make an N and moving the sixth stick to the top of the seventh to make another T.
Debrief: By looking at things in new ways, you open your mind to dynamic new connections which lead to more powerful learnings and insights. Light your creative fires!
This activity was adapted from Powerful Presentations Vol I by Betsy Allen and Bob Pike.
