Setting blocks

Communication challenge with Lego

Materials needed

  • 2 Walkie-talkies (alternatively could use Cell Phone)
  • 2 Boxes of same number and type of LEGO (or equivalent blocks)
  • 1 Table

Duration

20 - 30 minutes

Preparation

  • Divide participants in two teams: Alpha and Delta.
  • Team Alpha sits at a table with a walkie-talkie and a box of Lego blocks. Team Alpha will start with construction.
  • Meanwhile, Team Delta will move further away. It's important that they are out of sight and out of earshot. Team Delta has to have the exact same set of LEGO blocks (identical colors and shapes) as well as a walkie-talkie. This team will start by following instructions.

 

How to play

  • First, Team Alpha makes a construction with their LEGO blocks. They can replicate a reference image or create their own structure.
  • When Team Alpha has finished building, they call Team Delta by walkie-talkie to walk them through step-by-step how to build the LEGO structure.
  • After this is done, Team Alpha moves to check the result built by team Delta. Then the teams reverse their roles.

 

Look at the resulting structure and reflect on the following:

  • Is it what the teams were expecting?
  • What was easy and what was difficult to communicate and understand? What makes you say that?
  • What can the teams do to improve their communication in the next round to build an even more complex structure?

Variations

Depending on the age group and skills, the Scout/Guide Leader can adapt difficulty level:

  • If colors are an issue, you can just send commands about shape and not use color.
  • You can also play with another group over a longer distance by amateur-radio. Make sure you have the same set of LEGO blocks. Check the result by sending pictures or participating in a video call.
Lego image

Everything you need to know about the amateur radio can be found in the JOTA-JOTI Ham Radio Handbook at https://www.jotajoti.info/jota/radio-handbook

Lego image

Finally

Publish photos or videos on your social media using #JOTAJOTI #Scouts and share what was learned!

Remember: Never post photos of others without permission, and always seek parental consent to share photos of children.

Challenge code

GYAX6