Want to prevent your team from crashing and burning? First, have them crash and burn! “Iron Gondola” not only promotes efficient communication and trust, it also results in a more empowered team!

In this humanitarian aid inspired challenge, teams must work together using newly learned skills to build metal carts and evacuate to safety. Participants will learn about welding as they are outfitted with all the necessary safety equipment. In addition to a welding demonstration, they will also learn how to use abrasive saws, angle grinders, and other metal/wood working tools and techniques from our expert instructors. Then the challenge begins!

Teams will work together to design and fabricate a metal gondola (cart with wheels) from supplied scrap metal, casters, and wood. Teams must figure out how to transport everyone from one side of a parking lot to the safety of the other side. But be careful... the ground is lava! If you crash or touch the ground, you must start over.

Will everyone fit? Will the challenge require several trips? Will the gondola break or maneuver poorly? How will the team propel the gondola? The team that addresses these questions and gets everyone across the parking lot first wins the challenge. Certified facilitators work with teams during the challenge and provide useful post-activity skills and interpersonal dynamics strategies in our Build Mo Retrospective.