The Raft of the Medusa

How the Game is Played:

• Team Formation: Participants are divided into teams of 4 to 6 people. 
• Material Distribution: Each team receives a set of materials, such as PVC pipes, wooden planks, ropes, empty barrels, and duct tape.
• Construction Phase: Teams have a limited amount of time (usually 60 to 90 minutes) to design and build their raft using the provided materials.
• Float Test: Once the time is up, the rafts are tested for their ability to float and carry a team member across a short distance on the water.

Competitive Elements and Variations:

• Speed and Performance:
  • Raft Race: Organize a race where each team must navigate their raft through a marked course on the water. The team that finishes the course the fastest earns points.
  • Maneuverability: Assess how easily the raft can be steered. Additional points can be awarded for maneuverability.
    
    
• Creativity and Design:
  • Aesthetics: Award points for the most creative and aesthetically pleasing raft. Encourage teams to decorate their raft with thematic elements.
  • Innovation: Reward teams for the most innovative construction solutions or ingenious mechanisms integrated into their raft.
    
    
• Stability and Safety:
  • Floatability: Test the stability of the rafts by gradually adding weight. The team whose raft can support the most weight without sinking earns extra points.
  • Safety: Evaluate the safety and solidity of the construction. Rafts demonstrating a solid and secure build can receive bonus points.
    
    
• Collaboration and Communication:
  • Teamwork: Award points based on observations of collaboration and communication within each team during the construction phase.