Teacher Script – Team Synergy

Introduction (5 minutes)

(Display Build the Bridge Slides - Slide 1: Team Synergy: Build the Bridge!)

"Good morning, everyone! Today, we're diving into an exciting challenge that's all about teamwork. We're going to build bridges, but not just any bridges – we're going to build them with synergy!"

(Display Build the Bridge Slides - Slide 2: Our Cooperation Norms)

"Before we get started, let's quickly review some of our important cooperation norms. These are the agreements we make as a class to ensure we work together effectively and respectfully. Can anyone remind us what 'active listening' means? What about 'respectful disagreement'? (Pause for student responses)."

"Exactly! Now, I want you to think for a moment: Why are cooperation norms important when working in a team? Take a few seconds to consider this, and then I'll ask a few of you to share."

(Call on 2-3 students to share their thoughts, connecting their responses to the idea of a smooth, productive team environment.)

"Fantastic points! These norms aren't just rules; they're tools to help us succeed, especially in collaborative projects."

Assign Roles & Introduce Challenge (5 minutes)

(Display Build the Bridge Slides - Slide 3: The Bridge Challenge!)

"Now for the challenge! Today, your team's mission, should you choose to accept it, is to design and build a freestanding bridge using a limited set of materials. This isn't just about constructing a physical bridge; it's about how you work together to achieve that goal. Your collaboration will be just as important as your construction!"

(Display Build the Bridge Slides - Slide 4: Team Roles & Responsibilities)

"To ensure smooth operation, each team will assign specific roles. While everyone is responsible for the overall success, having clear roles can help streamline your process. Some suggestions include: a Materials Manager to oversee supplies, a Lead Builder to focus on the physical construction, a Recorder/Timekeeper to document progress and keep an eye on the clock, and a Communicator to facilitate discussion. Discuss within your teams and decide who will take on which roles."

(Display Build the Bridge Slides - Slide 5: Your Building Arsenal)

"Here are the materials you'll be working with today: straws, masking tape, paper, and pipe cleaners. Remember, you have a limited supply for each team, so plan wisely and think about how you can best utilize each item."

(Display Build the Bridge Slides - Slide 6: The Rules of the Build)

"Let's go over the rules for your bridge. Your bridge must:

1. Span a Gap: It needs to connect two points, approximately 30 centimeters apart.
2. Be Freestanding: No taping your bridge to the table or using external supports.
3. Hold Weight: It should be strong enough to hold a small object, like a pencil or an eraser.
4. Team Collaboration: And most importantly, you must apply at least two of our cooperation norms throughout the challenge. I'll be looking for evidence of this!"

"I'll be distributing the STEM Bridge Challenge handout, which outlines these rules and provides space for planning. I'll also be giving you a Collaboration Checklist which will be used to assess your teamwork, so review it carefully."

Build the Bridge Challenge (Part 1) (7 minutes)

(Display Build the Bridge Slides - Slide 7: Build Time!)

"Alright, teams, you have 15 minutes for your initial build time. I'll give you a quick pause halfway through for a check-in. You may begin! Remember to actively apply your chosen cooperation norms as you work!"

(Circulate, observe, and provide gentle reminders or prompts related to cooperation norms.)

Mid-Task Feedback Pause (3 minutes)

(Display Build the Bridge Slides - Slide 8: Mid-Task Feedback Pause)

"Teams, freeze! Everyone put your materials down for a moment. We're going to take a quick, 3-minute feedback pause. Using your Collaboration Checklist as a guide, discuss within your team: How well are you applying your chosen cooperation norms? What's one thing your team is doing well, and what's one area you could improve upon for the next 5 minutes? This is your chance to give constructive feedback to each other and make adjustments."

(Monitor discussions, encouraging honest and constructive dialogue.)

Build the Bridge Challenge (Part 2) (5 minutes)

(Display Build the Bridge Slides - Slide 9: Back to Building!)

"Alright, let's resume! You have 5 more minutes to complete your bridge. Take the feedback you just discussed and put it into action. Let's see those improvements!"

(Continue circulating and observing.)

Debrief: Norms Evidence & Improvement (5 minutes)

(Display Build the Bridge Slides - Slide 10: Debrief: Teamwork Triumphs!)

"Time's up, everyone! Please stop building and step away from your bridges. Excellent work, teams! Now, let's talk about the process as much as the product."

"I want each team to share: Which cooperation norms did your team apply successfully today? Can you give a specific example? (Pause for team shares)."

"Also, what challenges did you face as a team, and how did you try to overcome them? What did you learn about teamwork today that you can apply to other projects or even outside of school?"

(Facilitate a class discussion, linking student experiences back to the initial cooperation norms. Collect STEM Bridge Challenge handouts and any completed Collaboration Checklist forms.)

"Thank you all for your hard work and thoughtful collaboration today. You've shown that building strong teams is just as important as building strong bridges!"

STEM Bridge Challenge: Collaborative Construction

Your Mission:

Design and build a freestanding bridge that can span a 30 cm gap and support the weight of a small object (e.g., a pencil, an eraser). Your team will have 15 minutes to build, with a 3-minute feedback pause halfway through.

Materials Provided (per team):

• 20 Straws
• 1 Roll of Masking Tape
• 10 Sheets of Paper
• 10 Pipe Cleaners

Rules:

1. Span the Gap: Your bridge must connect two points 30 cm apart.
2. Freestanding: Your bridge cannot be taped to the table or any other external support. It must stand on its own.
3. Hold Weight: Your bridge must be able to hold a small object placed in the center for at least 5 seconds.
4. Teamwork: You must actively apply at least two cooperation norms (Active Listening, Respectful Disagreement, Shared Responsibility, Constructive Feedback) during the building process. Your collaboration will be assessed using the Collaboration Checklist.

Team Planning (Before you build!):

Team Members & Assigned Roles:

• Team Member 1:
  
  
  
• Team Member 2:
  
  
  
• Team Member 3:
  
  
  
• Team Member 4 (if applicable):
  
  
  

Cooperation Norms Your Team Will Focus On (Choose at least two):

Bridge Design Sketch: (Draw your initial design idea. Label key parts and how it will meet the requirements.)

Materials Plan: (How will you use your limited materials effectively?)

Mid-Challenge Reflection (During the 3-minute pause):

1. What is one strength in our team's collaboration right now, specifically related to our chosen norms?
   
   
   
   
2. What is one area our team could improve upon in the next 5 minutes to better apply our norms?
   
   
   
   

Post-Challenge Reflection:

1. How did your team demonstrate your chosen cooperation norms during the challenge? Provide specific examples.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. What was the biggest challenge your team faced, and how did you attempt to overcome it?