Helium Stick

Game

Deceptively simple but powerful game. Line up in two rows which face each other. Introduce the Helium Stick- a long, thin, lightweight rod. Ask participants to point their index fingers and hold their arms out. Lay the Helium Stick down on their fingers.  Get the group to adjust their finger heights until the Helium Stick is horizontal and everyone's index fingers are touching the stick. Explain that the challenge is to lower the Helium Stick to the ground.

The Rules: Each person's fingers must be in contact with the Helium Stick at all times. Pinching or grabbing the pole in not allowed - it must rest on top of fingers. Reiterate to the group that if anyone's finger is caught not touching the Helium Stick, the task will be restarted.

If a group appears to be succeeding to fast be vigilant about fingers not touching the pole. 

Reflect

What feelings did you experience?

How did the stick float up rather than come down?

Why did you fail or succeed?

Concept

A paradox is when sound reasoning can lead to conclusions that seem senseless and logically unacceptable or self-contradictory. The behavior of the Helium Stick is a paradox particularly in the early stages, the Helium Stick has a habit of mysteriously 'floating' up rather than coming down. The collective upward pressure created by everyone’s fingers tends to be greater than the weight of the stick. As a result, the more a group tries, the more the stick tends to ‘float’ upwards.

Practice

What is one lesson you have learned from this game that you are going to use in the next game or session (if using game to set up training session topic)?

Further resource: http://wilderdom.com/experiential/