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The 10 Minute Paper Airplane game to teach people about Agile Development

Objective: To introduce students to the concepts of iteration, feedback, and adaptation in agile project management.

Materials Needed:

1. Sheets of paper (one per student or group)
2. Pens or markers

Instructions:

1. Setup: Divide the class into small groups of 3-4 students each. Provide each group with a sheet of paper and a pen.
2. Iteration 1 (2 minutes):
   • Explain to the students that their task is to create a paper airplane that can fly the farthest distance.
   • Set a timer for 2 minutes and instruct the groups to quickly design and fold their paper airplanes.
3. Test Flight (1 minute):
   • After the time is up, ask each group to test-fly their paper airplanes in the classroom.
4. Feedback (1 minute):
   • Encourage the groups to observe how their paper airplanes perform. Ask questions such as:
     • How far did your paper airplane fly?
     • Did it fly straight or veer off course?
     • Did it glide smoothly or fall quickly?
   • Allow each group to share their observations with the class.
5. Iteration 2 (3 minutes):
   • Based on the feedback received, instruct the groups to make improvements to their paper airplanes.
   • Set a timer for 3 minutes and allow the groups to redesign and fold their paper airplanes, incorporating the feedback they received.
6. Test Flight (1 minute):
   • Once again, ask each group to test-fly their improved paper airplanes in the classroom.
7. Reflection (2 minutes):
   • Gather the class together and facilitate a brief discussion:
     • How did the second iteration compare to the first one?
     • Did the changes made improve the performance of the paper airplanes?
     • What did you learn from this activity about the importance of iteration and feedback in agile project management?
8. Conclusion:
   • Summarize the key takeaways from the activity, emphasizing the principles of iteration, feedback, and adaptation in agile project management.

If you want to extend the activity time, you can add more iterations. This activity is not only engaging but also helps students understand the core concepts of agile methodology through hands-on experience and reflection. Adapting to change vs. following a plan.