Strength in Numbers Activity Georgia CTAE Resource Network Instructional Resource Office Written by: Cate Buchanan & Dr. Frank Flanders

The following activity will demonstrate that there is strength in numbers… When people ban together they can often accomplish more than as single individuals, or the sum of individual accomplishments. When people ban together they can often accomplish more than as single individuals, or the sum of individual accomplishments.

Student and professional organizations are important in that they allow people to bond together to accomplish common goals.

Groups can plan and carry out programs together such as: Educational programs Educational programs Voting for a candidate Voting for a candidate Passing legislation Passing legislation Lobbying for a pay increase Lobbying for a pay increase Carrying out military operations Carrying out military operations Etc. Etc.

This activity will demonstrate strength in numbers Students should obtain a 6” or longer piece of twine and follow directions on the following slides. Yarn may be substituted. Students should obtain a 6” or longer piece of twine and follow directions on the following slides. Yarn may be substituted.

Try to break the twine with your hands Can you break it? Can you break it? If so, note the effort it took. If so, note the effort it took.

If you were able to break the twine, obtain another 6” piece.

Unravel the twine and separate the individual pieces.

Try to break each piece Can you break it? Can you break it? Break all pieces of the string. Break all pieces of the string. If you can break it, how much effort did it take? If you can break it, how much effort did it take? Which was easier to break, the twine as one piece or each string individually? Which was easier to break, the twine as one piece or each string individually?

What did you learn from this activity?

We learned… There is strength in numbers. There is strength in numbers. A group of people can accomplish more than single individuals. A group of people can accomplish more than single individuals. People organizations are important. People organizations are important. Etc. Etc.

What are some organizations in our society that are important in helping groups accomplish common goals?

Example Groups Political Parties Political Parties Teacher Associations Teacher Associations Volunteer Firefighter Organization Volunteer Firefighter Organization Jaycees Jaycees Historical Society Historical Society CTAE Organizations including: CTAE Organizations including:HOSAFFAFCCLADECA Skills USA FBLATSA

What are some benefits of being a member of student organizations? See the next slide for the important benefits.

Some of the most important benefits of being involved in a student organization are: Sharing ideas/resources Sharing ideas/resources Professional development Professional development Learning to work cooperatively Learning to work cooperatively Develop skills Develop skills Opportunity to be of service to others Opportunity to be of service to others Learning skills in preparation for participation in professional career organizations and becoming a contributing member of society. Learning skills in preparation for participation in professional career organizations and becoming a contributing member of society.

Note to the teacher: See the next slides on the use of yarn if twine is not available. See the next slides on the use of yarn if twine is not available.

Instead of Twine use Yarn Note yarn is much weaker than twine! Note yarn is much weaker than twine! If you wish for your students not to break the yarn give them two or more 6 inch pieces to be doubled for more strength. If you wish for your students not to break the yarn give them two or more 6 inch pieces to be doubled for more strength.

Yarn Follow the procedure outlined for the twine activity. Follow the procedure outlined for the twine activity.

“Lean on Me” Additional Activity

“Lean on Me” In effective organizations people help each other. This means each person brings their individual strengths to the group.

“Lean on Me” Acting as one group and using the strength of each, organizations can accomplish more. Acting as one group and using the strength of each, organizations can accomplish more.

“Lean on Me” Activity Obtain 2 pieces of yarn 6-8” long Obtain 2 pieces of yarn 6-8” long

Procedure: 1. Tape one end of the yarn to the desk as shown, or have a friend hold one end. 1. Tape one end of the yarn to the desk as shown, or have a friend hold one end.

Procedure continued 2. Twist the twine tightly 2. Twist the twine tightly

Procedure continued 3. Tape the ends so that the yarn does not unravel. 3. Tape the ends so that the yarn does not unravel.

Procedure continued 4. Break each piece as shown. Do not let the twisted piece of yarn unravel before breaking. 4. Break each piece as shown. Do not let the twisted piece of yarn unravel before breaking. Note the force used to break each piece. Note the force used to break each piece.

Analysis Which was most difficult to break? Which was most difficult to break? In most instances, the twisted twine will be most difficult to break. In most instances, the twisted twine will be most difficult to break.

Analysis continued Why was the twisted piece of yarn more difficult to break? Why was the twisted piece of yarn more difficult to break? ?

Analysis continued In the twisted yarn, the fibers form a tight bond, spreading the force among all the fibers more evenly. In the twisted yarn, the fibers form a tight bond, spreading the force among all the fibers more evenly.

Analysis continued In the un-twisted yarn, the looser fibers are more likely to be stressed individually, when a weak fiber breaks they all begin to break. In the un-twisted yarn, the looser fibers are more likely to be stressed individually, when a weak fiber breaks they all begin to break.

Summary Strands of rope and twine are twisted to make them stronger. Also, cotton fibers in blue jeans, etc. Strands of rope and twine are twisted to make them stronger. Also, cotton fibers in blue jeans, etc.

Summary continued So what does this have to do with CTSO’s and other organizations? So what does this have to do with CTSO’s and other organizations?

Summary continued The closer the members… The closer the members… The more members work together… The more members work together… The more members share the load… The more members share the load… The stronger and more successful the organization! The stronger and more successful the organization!