Mastermind Relay

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Observe and practice small-group problem-solving, task coordination, and decision-making under a fixed time limit.

Use it when: Use when a group needs an active, low-stakes collaboration exercise that encourages self-paced coordination.

Skip it when: Skip when participants cannot navigate physical stations or when the room layout does not permit free movement without disruption.

Group arrangement: Teams of 2 to 5 participants moving freely between puzzle stations

Timing: UWT suggested standard 25-minute schedule based on the Playmeo 15 to 30 minute activity window.

Materials and tools

• 5 printed puzzle station sheets (provided in participant materials)
• Painter tape or pins to post sheets around the room
• 1 team answer sheet per team
• 1 pen or pencil per team
• 1 facilitator answer key
• 1 digital countdown timer

Before participants arrive

1. Print the 5 puzzle station sheets single-sided.
2. Tape or pin each station sheet on walls or tables at distinct locations around the room.
3. Print 1 team answer sheet and provide 1 pen for each anticipated team.
4. Ensure open pathways between stations for unrestricted movement.

Say this to open

Welcome. We have five lateral-thinking stations posted around the room. You will work in small teams with an answer sheet and one pen. Your goal is to visit the stations in any order, discuss each puzzle together, and write down your answers before time expires. You control your pace. If you get stuck on one, move to another and return later.

How to run it

1. Introduce rules and form teams 4 minutes

   Explain the rules using the opening script. Form teams of 2 to 5 participants (for example, 4 teams of 3 for 12 people, up to 6 teams of 4 for 24 people). Hand each team one blank answer sheet and one pen. Point out the five station locations.

2. Run the puzzle relay 12 minutes

   Start the 12-minute timer. Teams disperse to any open station. Teams work together, agree on an answer, and write it on their answer sheet. If two teams reach the same station, the arriving team either waits briefly or moves to an unoccupied station. Call out time warnings at 6 minutes and 2 minutes remaining. When time expires, all teams return to their seats.

3. Reveal solutions and score 5 minutes

   Read through each puzzle and share the verified solution. Have teams self-score by placing a checkmark next to each correct answer. Congratulate teams on puzzles solved and note which puzzles proved hardest across the room.

4. Debrief team dynamics 4 minutes

   Facilitate a brief reflection on how teams coordinated. Pose the debrief questions and take 2 or 3 quick responses from the room before closing.

Debrief questions

• How did your team decide when to stay on a tough puzzle versus when to move on?
• What method did your group use to ensure everyone had input on the answers?
• What would your team do differently if you ran another round?

Finished output: Completed and scored team answer sheets showing solutions to 5 station puzzles.

Remote

In a virtual meeting, place teams of 2 to 5 into separate breakout rooms. Provide each breakout room a link to a shared slide deck or digital document containing the 5 puzzles and an answer grid. Give each team editing rights to their own slide. Keep the same 12-minute time limit, bring everyone back to the main room, display the answer key, and conduct the debrief.

Hybrid

Form fully remote teams in breakout rooms using digital slides and fully in-person teams using the physical stations. The facilitator tracks the central 12-minute timer for both audiences simultaneously. Reveal the solutions on the shared display screen so remote and in-room participants verify scores together.

Access and participation choices

• Provide a tabletop printed copy of all puzzles for participants who prefer to remain seated rather than walking between wall stations.
• Any participant may serve as the scribe or timekeeper if they prefer not to guess puzzles actively.
• Teams may pass on any puzzle without penalty or disclosure.

If the session gets stuck

Multiple teams crowd around Station 1 at the start.

Assign each team a different starting station number, then allow free movement after the first puzzle.

A team gets frustrated and stuck on a single puzzle for several minutes.

Remind the room that puzzles can be completed in any order and that stepping away to a different station often clears thinking.

Terms used here

• Lateral thinking: Solving problems through an indirect, creative approach rather than standard step-by-step logic.