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Game I
In this game we will see how agents that are exactly the same follow the same instructions and generate a complex collective behavior. Let's play this swarming game!
- Material: a pen (or more)
- Time required: 10 minutes for preparation, 5 minutes of playing, 2 minutes for conclusions.
- Special conditions: Players must be in even numbers (10, 12, 14) in a room or space allowing free movement. Children can be divided into two (or more) teams to motivate them to solve the challenge before the others.
- Preparation of the game:
- Make teams of 10-14 children (even number)
- With a pen, draw a moon at the right hand of each child.
- Draw a star on the left hand of each child.
- Explain the rules to the players.
- Playing rules:
- Hold hands. All hands should be holding another hand (no hand can be free).
- Holding hands must have the same picture (moon with moon, star with star).
- Additional notes for instructors:
- These two minimal instructions result in the formation of one or more circles of children alternately facing inwards and outwards of the circle.
- Children might think of the alternative possibility of crossing hands; in this case instructors can add an additional rule: arms should be extended.
Click here for after-playing discussion and conclusions!
Adapted from Ready, Set, Self-Assemble, developed by the Children’s Museum of Houston (http://www.nisenet.org/catalog/programs/exploring_fabrication_-_self-assembly_nanodays_10). Published under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike License.
Download game here: