Find Someone Who… An Icebreaker With Purpose

By Phoebe Jackson, John Abbott College

At a Glance

Discipline

  • Interdisciplinary

Instructional Level

  • College & CEGEP

Course

  • Teaching Science to Young Learners

Tasks in Workflow

Social Plane(s)

  • Whole Class

Type of Tasks

  • Gaming & role-playing

Technical Details

Class size

  • Small (20-49)

Time

  • Single class period (< 90 mins)

Inclusivity & Accessibility

  • Variety of action & expression

Instructional Purpose

  • Preparation & knowledge activation

Overview

This activity aims to get students thinking about some of the big ides that we will explore in our course, while meeting and interacting with their classmates in a positive environment. In particular, students are confronted by the glaring disparity in who we think of when we think of scientists and who we don’t, leading to more fruitful discussions of underrepresentation and under-recognition in later classes.

This activity also breaks down some social barriers, paving the way for students to embrace an active learning approach in their learning and in their future teaching. In this activity, students mingle to find a person for each of the 12 items listed. Afterwards, at least one person named per item has the chance to demonstrate that they meet that item’s requirement(e.g., can name three female scientists or can sing a short song in front of the class). Founded in a social constructivist theory of learning, this 30+ minute icebreaker is designed to be used on the first day of class.

Instructional Objectives

By the end of this activity, students will be able to:

  • Provide evidence of the under-recognition of non-white and/or non-male scientists.
  • Provide evidence that even activities most students really enjoy can make others uncomfortable and thus it is important to provide a variety of activities during a learning experience.
  • Name several classmate by sight.

Workflow & Materials

Workflow

Activity Workflow

View on CourseFlow
Document

List of Items

Phoebe Jackson

Contributor's Notes

Benefits
Challenges
Tips
Benefits
  • Quickly creates a positive learning environment in which students are more comfortable interacting with each other
  • Brings forward key issues that will be explored later in the course, thus easing the way into confronting topics (e.g., under-recognition and underrepresentation in science)
  • Provides many opportunities for individuals to be recognized as good at something or as interesting in some way, helping students position themselves as useful members of our class.
Challenges
  • Do not allow phones during this activity. This is a great chance to set your phone rules on the first day, and stick to them. I have students put their phones away in their bags (not pockets).
  • Without the whole-class wrap-up led by the teacher, students may not achieve the learning objectives of this activity. Make sure you bring out the key issues the game was designed to explore. For example, I make very explicit the discrepancy between how many students could name 3 white male scientists, and how many people could name other scientists. Also make explicit the more minor goal of the other items. For example, the person who could list pi to 9+ digits (usually it’s far more) exemplifies the hidden skills of our students and shows how getting to know our students can allow us to draw on their resources in ways that are useful for the individual and the whole class.
  • Students will not want to stop. Set a time limit and stick to it. Use an alarm. I suggest 12 minutes since there are 12 items, but end earlier if several people have finished their lists before then.
  • A person named on someone’s sheet may be too shy to demonstrate the item in front of the class. In these cases, I just move on to a different name, keeping it low key.
Tips
  • I offer students a prize (e.g., chocolate) if they come to class the next day being able to name 3 non-male and/or non-white scientists, including a description of their key contributions to science. To earn the prize they are required to describe each scientist in front of the class, so all can benefit.
  • Can also award prizes for anyone who can name everyone in the class or alternatively, to the person who can name the most people in the class, following the activity. If you do this, let them know before the activity starts so they make the effort.
  • As stated in the instructions on the handout, each name can only be used once. This requires students to meet more of their peers. I also don’t let them use my name, since it’s important that it be difficult to find someone who can name 3 non-white and/or 3 non-male scientists.
  • This could also be converted into a BINGO format, where the items are displayed in cells in a table and the goal is to make lines or cross off the entire sheet.

Applied Strategies

Game-Based Instruction & Gamification

Engagement and motivation