Instructions

Set Up: Prepare for the Activity

Organize participants into small groups (4-6 ppl).

Share the Ping Pong Ball Challenge on a handout, screen, or projector.

Step One: Introduce the Ping Pong Challenge (5 min)

Review The Ping Pong Ball Challenge as a full group:

An eight inch long metal pipe is embedded in concrete at one end. The pipe is perpendicular to the ground, facing upward. A ping pong ball is at the bottom of the pipe. The ping pong ball fits loosely into the pipe.

You have the following tools available to you:

• A one-foot length of rope (0.1 inch in diameter)

• A metal file

You need to remove the ping pong ball from the pipe with the following restrictions:

• You have no other resources available to you.

• You cannot move or bend the pipe.

• The ping pong ball cannot be damaged.

  
  

Ask the groups if there are any clarifying questions but do not provide any additional information.

Step Two: Individually Generate Ideas (5 min)

Ask each participant to write down their individual ideas. How are they going to remove the ball from the pipe?

Step Three: Discuss Ideas in Small Groups (10 min)

In small groups, invite participants to share their ideas.

As each of the ideas are presented, ask the other participants to build on them.

Instruct the group that they must decide on a single best solution to present to the full group.

Step Four: Present Solutions to the Full Group (5 min)

Invite one representative from each small group to present their final solution to the challenge.

While listening to the solutions, ask participants in the full group to evaluate each small group’s idea with a thumb’s up, thumb’s down, or thumb’s sideways vote. Tell them the criteria for their vote should be: Did the group adhere to the rules? Would the solution work?

Step Five: Explore Taboos as a Full Group (15 min)

If no group came up with the solution, reveal that the most effective solution is to urinate in the pipe and let the ping pong ball rise to the top.

Full group discussion prompts:

• What’s your reaction to this solution? Does it make you feel uncomfortable? Did any of you think of this but might have been afraid to voice it in the discussion?

• Talking publicly about urination is generally frowned upon or considered taboo. What else do you consider to be taboo?

  
  

Generate a list of taboos on the board, flip chart, or shared screen. Discuss:

• Are these taboos universal? How do we know when our imagination is restricted by a taboo?

Step Six: Debrief as a Full Group (10 min)

Discuss:

• Let’s review our list of taboos. What purpose do these taboos serve? Who or what decides that these topics are off limits?

• What are the trade-offs associated with taboos?

• How can identifying taboos open up possibilities or imagination?