Rescue Mission Slides Advisory Team Builder
STATUS: RUNNING
Advisory Team Builder Activity
MISSION:
SAVE SAM!
Sam is stranded, his boat is capsized, and he cannot swim! Work with your crew to save him using engineering and strategy.
TIME: 45 MIN
CREW: 2-4 COMMANDOS
LOCATION: OCEAN DEEP
Advance to Briefing
THE CRISIS
Objective: Retrieve the life preserver and equip Sam safely.
01: EMERGENCY INTEL
The Stranded Worm
Sam (the gummy worm) is stranded on top of his capsized boat (the plastic cup). He cannot swim!
The Trapped Life Preserver
His life preserver (gummy lifesaver) is stuck completely inside the capsized boat bottom.
🌊🌊🌊
🪱
SAM (STRANDED)
CAPSIZED BOAT (Plastic Cup)
⭕
LIFE PRESERVER
Follow all safety protocols and coordinate with your crew. TARGET: SAVE SAM
🐠
🐙
MISSION MATERIALS
Verify your crew table has all materials before beginning.
02: MATERIAL INSPECTION
🪱 ❌👋
SAM (WORM)
Gummy Worm.
⭕
PRESERVER
Gummy Lifesaver.
🥛
THE BOAT
Plastic Cup.
📎
4 PAPERCLIPS
The only tools allowed.
Double check your inventory before configuring tools. ASSETS CONFIRMED
PHYSICAL SETUP GUIDE
Look at these real photos to arrange your team table correctly:
03: PROTOCOL PHOTO
🪱 🔴
📎 📎
PHOTO A: THE MATERIALS
Delicate gummy worm, lifesaver, and paperclips.
🪱
🔴
PHOTO B: CAPSIZED BOAT SETUP
Sam is stranded on bottom. Life preserver is under boat.
Arrange your physical items exactly like Photo B before starting. READY TO DEPLOY
🌊
STRICT RESTRICTIONS
PROTOCOL 01
CRITICAL RESTRICTION
STRICTLY
NO HANDS!
No fingers may touch Sam, the cup, or the lifesaver.
Do not let any part of your body touch the physical objects.
All moves must be executed entirely with paperclips.
🚫 🖐️
HANDS-OFF DETECTION
ZERO SKIN CONTACT ALLOWED
The rescue mission must be accomplished with tools only. ZERO CONTACT ACTIVE
STRATEGY RULES
PROTOCOL 02 & 03
📎
02
TOOLS ONLY
Use only the 4 paperclips provided. You can bend, hook, or interlock them however you want!
📎🔧 Shape them as hooks or grabbers.
🪱
03
DO NOT HARM SAM
Sam must remain unharmed . Do not puncture or squeeze him too hard.
🪱🏥 If Sam falls in the "ocean" table, he drowns!
Work together to engineer the perfect paperclip shapes. OPERATION DESIGN ACTIVE
🐳
⛵
RESCUE LAUNCH
Phase 03: Active Teamwork & Operation
SYSTEMS ACTIVE
🪱 🪱
GO!
Commence rescue efforts. Shape your paperclips and save Sam!
30 : 00
30:00 15:00 0:00
RESET
30 MINS
Keep an eye on the clock. Good luck, team! TIME ALLOTMENT: 30:00
TEAM DEBRIEF
DISCUSSION
COMMUNITY DEBRIEF
Answer these key questions together to review your experience:
🪱
01 THE METHOD
How did you and your partner figure out how to save Sam?
🤝
02 SYNERGY VS. SOLITUDE
Would it have been easier if you were working alone? Why or why not?
👑
03 LEADER IDENTIFICATION
Was there a clear leader in your group? Did someone call the shots or make decisions about how to save Sam.
📎
04 TOOL LIMIT LIMITATIONS
Could Sam be saved if you had only one paperclip?
MISSION COMPLETE
Rescue Report Worksheet CREW REPORT • ADVISORY TEAM BUILDER
RESCUE REPORT
MISSION CODE SAVE-SAM
Crew Commander (Name)
Crew Members
Date & Section
Mission Objectives & constraints
Objective: Save Sam (the gummy worm) by successfully placing his life preserver (gummy lifesaver) onto his body and positioning him safely back on top of his capsized boat (the cup bottom).Constraints: 1) Do not touch Sam, the cup, or the lifesaver with your hands. 2) Only use 4 paperclips per team. 3) Do not pierce or harm Sam.
Tactical Hypothesis
Formulate a predictive plan. How will your team shape the paperclips to execute the rescue?
If our crew bends the paperclips into shapes like , then we will successfully retrieve the life preserver because .
Engineering Sketch & Hook Design
Draw a diagram of your paperclip design modifications below. Label any hooks, loops, or leverage points.
[ Draw Paperclip Modification Sketch Here ]
Activity Phase: planning & design Page 1 of 2
CREW REPORT • ADVISORY TEAM BUILDER
RESCUE DEBRIEFING
PHASE 2 & 3
Tactical Trial Log
Record each attempt. Every time you change your paperclip design or cooperative strategy, log it as a new trial.
Trial Strategy & Paperclip Modifications Results & Reasons for Failure/Success #1 #2 #3 #4
After-Action Team Debrief
1. How did you and your partner figure out how to save Sam?
2. Would it have been easier if you were working alone? Why or why not?
3. Was there a clear leader? Did someone call the shots or make decisions?
Partner Cooperation Assessment
Rate Your Teamwork Synergy: How effectively did your crew collaborate and listen?
1
Poor
2
Fair
3
Good
4
Excellent
Activity Phase: post-mission analysis Page 2 of 2
Rescue Mission Teacher Guide TEACHER INSTRUCTIONAL HANDBOOK
RESCUE MISSION GUIDE
SAVING SAM ADVISORY TEAM BUILDER ACTIVITY
TEACHER-FACING
Lesson Purpose
This activity serves as an Advisory Team Builder Activity , introducing students to collaborative risk-taking, active communication, and problem-solving. Students quickly realize that trial-and-error, careful design planning, and positive team communication are required to succeed.
PACING MODEL 45 MINUTES Grade Level: Advisory Group
Physical Stations Prep Checklist
Set up each student crew station with the following exact configuration before beginning:
The Cup (Boat): 1 plastic cup placed upside down.
Sam (Worm): 1 gummy worm placed on top of cup bottom.
Preserver: 1 gummy lifesaver inside/under cup.
Tools: Exactly 4 standard paperclips per team.
Desk Surface: Serves as the "dangerous ocean".
Handouts: 1 Rescue Report Worksheet per crew.
Pacing Breakdown & Facilitator Script
1. Mission Briefing (Slides 1-5) 00:00 - 00:08
Introduce Sam, his plight, and the strict rules (no hands, no worm injury, paperclips only).Prompt: "Crews, Sam's safety relies entirely on your design strategy and communication. Keep hands off entirely!"
2. Tactical Sketching & Planning 00:08 - 00:15
Students must write hypotheses and sketch paperclip configurations before touching tools.Instruction: Do not pass out paperclips until page 1 of the report sheet is completed and signed off.
3. Active Team Rescue Operation 00:15 - 00:35
Teams attempt the rescue. Watch for rules violations. Ensure they record failures and design shifts in their Trial Logs.Prompt: "If Sam falls off, reset the table, take a quick pause, and write down what went wrong!"
Activity Phase: Setup, Pacing, and Scripting Page 1 of 2
TEACHER INSTRUCTIONAL HANDBOOK
INSTRUCTIONAL ALIGNMENT
TEACHER-FACING
Advisory & Social-Emotional Skills
Matches critical relationship building and collaborative decision-making goals. Students experience limits in individual effort and learn to leverage cooperative roles, active listening, and collective iteration to succeed. Real-world takeaway: teamwork is more effective than isolated struggle.
Save Sam Prep Instructions Guide TEACHER BRIEF • ADVISORY PROTOCOL
SAVE SAM PREP INSTRUCTIONS
SAVING SAM ADVISORY TEAM BUILDER ACTIVITY
ADVISORY BRIEF
Follow these 5 brief steps to group students, set up materials, brief the slideshow, manage the 30-minute timer, and lead the whole advisory discussion.
1 Break into Crews (Groups of 2-3)
Sizing: Pairs (2) are highly recommended. Groups of 3 work perfectly.Selection: Randomly assign partners to encourage group trust and relationships.Seating: Clear designated desks to serve as the open "dangerous ocean" table surface.
2 Distribute Materials & Set Up Desk
Hand out 1 kit containing: 1 Gummy Worm, 1 Gummy Lifesaver, 1 Cup, 4 Paperclips.
Students will receive a printed setup photo card . Direct them to replicate this configuration exactly: • Turn the plastic cup upside down on the desk.
3 Review the Scenario Presentation
Review the provided PowerPoint with your students before starting. The slides detail Sam's capsize emergency scenario, step-by-step instructions on how to complete the activity, and strict rules (such as the "No Hands" constraint).
4 Start the 30-Minute Operation
Crews will have exactly 30 minutes to complete the rescue activity. Teachers must actively keep time for the classroom. Monitor student communication and encourage crews to log every trial attempt.
5 Lead Whole Advisory Discussion
Conclude the activity as a whole-group discussion:
Operational Phase: Grouping & Setup Briefing Page 1 of 1
