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"Our session with Mars Surface Rover was very
successful! Mars demonstrates the problems that
arise when people work independently and, because we
are trying to build teams, it provided excellent
learning opportunities and practical takeaways. I
will definitely keep HRDQ in mind when we need these
kinds of activities in the future."
Bob Gerard
People Enablement Director
Accenture |
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Mars Surface Rover
TEAM EDITION
Help new teams understand what really
separates groups from teams with Mars Surface Rover Team Edition,
based on the award-winning Leadership Edition. It's a great way to
introduce participants to the basic concepts of teamwork, which
include interdependence, common goals, continuing interaction,
valuing diversity, and creating a supportive work environment.
Learning Outcomes
- Clearly understand the
distinction between a team and a group
- Understand how teammates’
responsibilities are interdependent
- Realize the importance of
continual communication within the team
Theory
Various definitions of “team” in the current literature point to
what separates a true team from a group of individuals:
interdependence, common goals, continuing interaction, diversity of
skills, and a supportive environment. The team version of Mars
Surface Rover is designed to highlight these accepted differences
between groups and teams.
How It Works
In Part I, participants are assigned individual tasks for building a
prototype vehicle for ferrying astronauts across the surface of
Mars. These tasks are kept private from other participants and are
completed behind a 4-panel screen. In Part II, the participants are
asked to complete the vehicle as a team, discussing ideas and
sharing their individual expertise. At the end of the game,
participants evaluate and discuss three key elements of teamwork:
Interdependence, Communication/Information Flow, and Common Goals.
"The most reluctant participants were ‘hands on’ with their
teammates during Mars Surface Rover – Team Edition. Not only do
participants build a working model without visual aids, they must
have a cost-effective model that shows improved performance to ‘win
the contract.’ This exercise takes team building to the next level!"
Anne Marie Campbell
Training & Organizational Development Specialist
Hillsborough County, FL
Uses for Mars Surface Rover Team Edition
Mars Surface Rover Team Edition is effective when used as a
stand-alone activity as well as a component of a larger training
program. Use Mars to:
- Develop new teams
- Rejuvenate established teams that
have fallen back into group work
- Help teams in conflict understand
the benefits of teamwork vs. group work
What to Order/Product Contents
Each Complete Game includes materials to simultaneously train 3
teams of 4-7 participants. All parts except for the Participant
Guides are reusable. Participant Guides Refill 5-Packs are also
available for individual purchase.
For larger groups, order one Extra Game Pack for each additional
team of 4–7 participants.
Our Customer Service Team is available to assist you with
determining your training material needs.
Complete Team Game includes:
- 3 boxes of reusable parts
(batteries included)
- 3 stopwatches
- 21 Participant Guides
- 4 calculators
- 1 tablet of 30 price sheets
- 1 set of 18 reusable task sheets
- 3 screens
- Facilitator Guide
- Convenient tote
Extra Game Pack (for one
team of 4-7 participants):
- 1 box of reusable parts
(batteries included)
- 7 Participant Guides
- Stopwatch
- Calculator
- Screen
- 1 set of 6 task sheets
Team Edition Facilitator
Guide features (included in the Complete Team and Deluxe Games):
- Administrative guidelines
- Theoretical background
- Teams vs. groups comparison chart
- Answers to frequently asked
questions
- Debriefing questions
- Reproducible participant handouts
and transparency masters
Complete Deluxe Game
includes:
- 3 boxes of reusable parts
(batteries included)
- 2 Facilitator Guides (one for
each version)
- 15 leadership edition Participant
Guides
- 21 team edition Participant
Guides
- 3 stopwatches
- 4 calculators
- 2 tablets of price sheets
- 3 screens
- 18 reusable task sheets
- Set of 3 reusable leader roles
- Convenient tote
Deluxe Leadership Upgrade*
Kit includes:
- Leadership version Facilitator
Guide
- 15 leadership version Participant
Guides
- Set of 3 reusable leader roles
- 1 tablet of price sheets
* For owners of the Mars
Team Edition - this upgrade adds everything you need to run the
leadership game!
"Mars Surface Rover brought the group together through a fun
activity and drove home the point that teams work better than
individuals. In the past, the team-building products I’ve used from
other companies made training sessions drag on and on. But within
minutes of starting the game, everyone was laughing and cheering
each other on."
Joseph Iavarone
Vice President, Program Management
De Lage Landen Financial Services
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