Snake Solutions 🐍 🏫 🤔

You're the principal of an elementary school. A pet snake has gone missing!

What will I need?

1. A piece of paper

2. A writing tool, like a pen or pencil

Steps:

1. Imagine you're the principal of an elementary school. Today, a pet snake has gone missing. Panic sets in, but instead of rushing into action, you decide to brainstorm potential problem statements to approach the situation.

2. Begin each statement with "How can I/How can we" and list as many different solutions and strategies as you can think of.

Examples to get you started:

- How can I ensure the safety of the students and staff?

- How can we locate the snake without causing a school-wide panic?

- How can I communicate the situation to parents in a calm and assuring manner?

- How can I not lose my job?

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Want to keep going?

1. Roleplay the scenario with a friend or family member, taking turns being the principal and other stakeholders.

2. Consider the snake's perspective. Maybe write a fun story about the snake's adventure in school.

What's the science?

Create a little bit every day. It’s good for you! Conner, T. S., DeYoung, C. G., & Silvia, P. J. (2018).

Standing on the shoulders of giants

Thanks to Dr. Roni Reiter-Palmon, an advisor to Messier and expert in creativity psychology with a focus on organizational applications of creativity.

"An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field."

- Niels Bohr