Simple icebreaker activity adapted from TeamSTEPPS resources. Teams of 4-6 students compete to create the longest paper chain using provided materials (white, pink, yellow, and blue paper; single scissor; single roll of scotch tape) in 3 increasingly challenging 5-minute iterations of activity: (1) team collaborates to form single-color chain from white paper; (2) team forms paper chain following specified 2-color sequence, only team leader communicates verbally; (3) team forms more complex 4-color sequence without any verbal communication. Debriefing (~20 min) examines helpful and unhelpful team dynamics, team communication behaviors, and issues related to role designation. Instructor manual and informal assessment tool available from contributor by request; additional materials available from TeamSTEPPS. Multiple faculty facilitators recommended. Instructors can expect initial student skepticism and confusion to gradually give way to understanding and insight. (Beginners; CC, TT)
Delivery: In-person
References: TeamSTEPPS Fundamental Course Module 1. Introduction available at Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality website.
Contributed by: Cheryl Scott (cscott@cbu.edu)
Did you implement this activity? If so, we’d love to know how it went. Please rate the activity below and leave any comments that will help others implement and/or improve upon the activity. You don’t have to login to leave a comment — you’ll have the option to leave a comment as a guest. Thank you!

Did you use this activity? If so, please leave a rating.