Materials list:

Help your child find these materials or a close substitute: 

• 4’x6′ space (smaller is okay too!)
• Something to mark the start and end lines (tape, yardstick, etc)
• Something to use as a blindfold (scarf, bandana, etc)
• 10-20 obstacles of different sizes that wouldn’t be painful to run into (pillows, books, empty boxes, etc)

Activity GUIDE:

Refer to these steps to keep young innovators on track as they play:

1.  Mark the start and end lines.

2.  Scatter obstacles in the marked space—Ask: How else could you arrange the obstacles?

3.  Blindfold 1 player; the other player tells them how to walk through the space without touching obstacles.

• Support being courageous—If partners are nervous about being blindfolded or giving directions, reassure them that it’s no big deal if they hit obstacles and it will feel easier the more they play.
• Ask: How are you communicating with your partner? How might you communicate even more clearly and specifically about where they should step?

4.  Switch places and repeat!

5.  Redesign—Ask: How might you make the game easier? Harder?

More Ideas:

Every project presents opportunities to add your own twists or extensions. Here are some ideas to get you started: 

• Step it Up! Try crawling through the field of space junk. Watch out for your hands and feet touching the obstacles.
• Step it Up! See how fast you can make it through the field without touching any space junk. Can others beat your time?
• Need a friend? Play over a video chat with a friend or family member. If you set up the camera with a clear view of the field of space junk, they can play “Mission Control” and guide you through it.
• Big Group? Have 2 pairs complete against each other to see which team can get through the field the quickest. Add 10 seconds to the time for each obstacle that’s hit.

Wrap Up Questions:

Lock in the learning by asking kids these questions about their activity and how they practiced the featured Innovator’s Mindset element: 

• [If blindfolded] How did it feel to stretch your courageous muscles and trust your partner to tell you where to go? Was it easy or hard to trust your partner? Why do you think that is?
• [If mission control] Were you nervous about leading your partner? Did it take courage to share your ideas? Which ideas worked? Which ones didn’t? 
• What was your best time? Your lowest obstacle count? Have you tried again to see if you can beat it?

The last step in the Gallieo Innovator’s Process is SHARE. Great learning can come from sharing successes and failures—to solidify your own experience as an innovator and to inspire others.

SHARE WITH galileo

Take a video of your courageous team navigating their way through a crowded field of space junk, and share it with the Camp Galileo Anywhere Facebook Community.

Share with family and friends

Your innovation doesn’t stop with you. Inspire someone else by sharing your project challenge—maybe they’ll try it themselves or maybe your project will give them a new idea.

• Who: someone in your house, a family member, a friend
• How: in person, on the phone, online
• When: anytime, starting now!