Minefield with a Secret Map

Each team secretly draws a path of mines on a plan of a 6 x 6 cone grid that the opponents must cross in a relay. When a scout steps on a mined square, the authors signal it and the next scout must start over, remembering the safe path found so far: group memory, communication and planning against the clock.

How to play

1. Set up two 6 x 6 grids of 1 m squares with cones, one for each pair of teams (4 min).
2. Four teams of 7: each team gets a card with the grid drawn on it and secretly marks 12 mines, leaving at least one possible path from side to side (4 min).
3. Game 1: team A crosses team B's grid in a relay; each scout moves to adjacent squares and, on stepping on a mine, team B claps and the scout runs out along the side to the back of the line; time it until someone gets across (6 min).
4. Game 2 with roles switched (6 min).
5. Compare times and mines stepped on; each team explains how it organized its memory of the path (for example, one memorizer per section) (3 min).
6. Quick rematch: the slower team redesigns its map using what it learned (2 min).

Rules

• Only one scout on the grid at a time.
• The waiting team may talk to the scout but not point.
• The authoring team answers honestly; the teacher checks the map at the end.
• Run back along the side at a jog to avoid colliding with the next scout.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: act as the main memorizer or the map keeper who claps.
• Visual impairment: move with verbal directions from the team, with a tap on the shoulder meaning mine.
• Autism: record the discovered mines on a copy of the plan, which serves as a visual aid for everyone.

Learning goals

• Develop group memory strategies in a movement task.
• Give precise, brief instructions.
• Design a strategic problem for another team.

Equipment for a class of 25

• cones: 50
• cards: 4
• stopwatch: 1
• pinnies: 28

Teacher tip

Check that every map has at least one possible path before starting. Allow the team 5 seconds to talk between scouts: that is where the strategy shows up.

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