Talk a Topic !
Mind Sprint used at Round Robin #l, January 1999
(This challenge has been reformatted as a Sample)
QUICK SET-UP: Locate the set of "Topic Cards" in this kit*, and cut the cards apart. Put them, face down, in a pile on a desk or other flat surface. Read over "Conducting this Mind Sprint", below, to learn the rules and scoring. Next, decide where the starting line for the relay will be. You'll have to time and score this event, so decide where you will sit or stand to run this event. You're ready!
OBJECTIVE: To give students a problem which challenges individual and team problem-solving, creative thinking, critical strategizing and communication skills.
Conducting the Mind Sprint: [Make sure the team entering the room is the scheduled team. Then say,]
You'll each get a chance to talk to earn points for your team in this Mind Sprint. Because this is Academic Triathlon, you'll have to run a relay first, of course! You'll each have to take a pencil from your Competition Kit and decide how you'd like to balance it-without using your hands-to get to the stack of cards. You may not tuck it over your ear, either! Each card contains three topics: A hard one, worth 10 points, a medium-challenging one, worth 5 points; and a simple one, worth three points. When you reach the card pile, turn over the card and choose one of the topics. You'll be given 20 seconds to talk about the topic, and then your team will have to guess what the topic is. You may either pass if they don't get the topic, or you may give a second, 20-second set of clues. You'll each get 2 or more turns. Here's an example: "I'm using the topic when I say that toads tumble thoughtlessly. Trucks take their time. My topic has to do with spelling. Toot, toot! Train Talk. Can you guess that my topic is 'Words that begin with t?' That's a hard one, and it would earn me 10 points. Here's an easier one: The trunk, the tail, the big ears, the gray skin, the ivory tusks--those hints are for the topic, 'parts of an elephant.' The only rule regarding clues is that you may not say the words of the topics themselves; for instance, I couldn't say "elephant tusks," just "ivory tusks." Keep the card, but don't show it to anyone, after you've had your turn. If there's time, you can go again, and choose a different topic from your cards. As you choose your topic from the card, please tell me, "I'm doing the 10-point topic"; or "I'm trying the 3-point topic", and so on, so I can score it correctly. If you're really fast, there's a second set of cards, too. You may begin.
*Topic Card List: (A set of cards accompanied each kit; but space doesn't permit including the cards in this sample copy. You may make cards, using the following topics.)
Card #1: 10 points, types of vehicles; 5 points, Funny TV shows; 3 points, colors.
Card #2: 10 points, ways to save money; 5 points, Animals you can ride on; 3 points, words that start with "S".
Card #3: 10 points,Reasons to celebrate; 5 points, Furniture; 3 points, Numbers.
Card #4: 10 points, Capitals; 5 points, Cold things; 3 points, cartoon characters.
Card #5: 10 points, Ways to gather information; 5 points, Last year's teachers; 3 points, songs.
Card #6: 10 points, Movies with kids in them; 5 points, things to keep in your desk; 3 points, words starting with "M".
Card #7: 10 points,Word sets that rhyme; 5 points, Water; 3 points, cosmetics.
Card #8: 10 points, What makes people different from each other; 5 points, hobbies; 3 points, clothing.
Card #9: 10 points, Simple machines; 5 points, Math problems; 3 points, candy.
Card #10: 10 points, Game rules (You may choose the game); 5 points, Cash crops (that people grow to sell; 3 points, house pets.
Scoring: Remind each student to let you know the degree of difficulty as they begin their clue sets. As the team guesses each topic, award points by placing a hash mark in the proper square on a score sheet (not included here). Then calculate the raw score for each team and return the score sheet to the Host/Facilitator. (Help students to remember that they may pass if their team is stuck-but they may choose to go on, too.)
©1998 US Academic Triathlon. All rights reserved. This problem may not be duplicated or used without express, written consent except by members of 1998-99 USAT Season teams, or their member schools; or when offered in sample form.
