Related Activities
- As Easy As 6–3–5 [81]
- Group Not [83]
- Idea Pool [85]
- Out of the Blue Lightning Bolt Cloudbuster [88]
Procedure
- Before the session, prepare two sets of paper slips, small enough
to be inserted into the balloons. For the first set (for example, for
blue balloons), write one silly, abstract, nonsensical phrase unrelat-
ed to the problem on each slip (for example, “rhubarb ink
javelins,” “worm lips on parade,” “rotating cat lemons”, “vibrat-
ing elephants in your ear”). On each slip in the second set (for
example, red balloons), write one word or phrase related to the
problem—any of its features, benefits, or attributes. (If time is
available, you might have the participants come up with these
words and insert them into the balloons). - Insert the slips into their respective color of balloon, then blow up
and tie all of the balloons. (Or wait until the session and ask the
participants to help you.) - Begin the session by distributing the Balloon, Balloon, Balloon
Handout, reviewing it with the participants, and answering any
questions they may have. - Turn on some high energy, rock music, and tell the members of all
groups to tap the balloons back and forth (if there is only one
group, the individual members tap the balloons around within
that group). - Stop the music after about 2 minutes and ask the participants to
gather at least one balloon of each color. Have them sit on their
balloons or pop them with a pen, pencil, or other sharp object.
(Warn them not to do this too close to their eyes—which shouldn’t
be a problem for those who sit on the balloons!) - Instruct the participants to find one slip from each color balloon
and return to their respective tables. - Have one of the group members read aloud what is on the two
slips, and use the combination as a stimulus for new ideas. (You
might suggest that one member of each group could write these
words on a flip chart for all group members to view.) - Have the person who suggests an idea write it down on a Post-it®
Note and pass it to the person on the right. Tell the people receiv-
ing the notes to think of possible new ideas and write them on
Brainwriting with Unrelated Stimuli 361
12 VG 355-388 10/6/04 1:30 PM Page 361