Flow Drill: Check-In and Station Assignment
A rehearsal of participant arrival at a sports day: part of the class arrives in waves as if they were groups from other schools, and the rest welcome them, check them in and take them to their station. Wait times are recorded, and the system is redesigned until nobody waits more than two minutes.
How to play
- The organizing team (10 students) uses cones and tape to set up a check-in point with two imaginary tables, an entry lane and four game stations (4 min).
- Participants get a card with their group and arrive in three waves one minute apart; organizers hand them a colored pinnie and jog with them to their station, where they play an active waiting game while a timer records each wave's time (6 min).
- Analysis: identify bottlenecks (lines, confusion, wrong pinnies) and propose two changes (5 min).
- Second drill with the changes, switching organizer and participant roles (7 min).
- Compare times and agree on the final check-in protocol (3 min).
Rules
- Nobody enters the stations without going through check-in.
- Escorts move at the group's pace and do not run ahead.
- The check-in area is separated from play by at least 5 m of tape.
- Participants follow their cards even if there are mistakes: that is how flaws are found.
Variations
Easier
A single arrival wave and two stations.
Standard
Three waves, four stations and two drills compared.
Harder
Add problems: one group arrives late, another is missing a participant and one station is still busy.
Adaptations
- Wheelchair user as a participant: check that the lane and route are accessible.
- Hearing impairment: organizers prepare signs with the color and station number.
- Autism: takes a fixed job, such as timer or pinnie handout, with written instructions.
Learning goals
- Plan the arrival and distribution logistics of a sports event.
- Spot and fix organizational problems through a hands-on trial.
- Take on specific responsibilities within an organizing team.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cones: 30
- pinnies: 24
- cards: 24
- stopwatch: 2
- barrier tape: 2
Teacher tip
If the event will host elementary students, have participants arrive in groups with a pretend adult who asks questions. Barrier tape can be replaced with ropes.
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