Toxic Waste Dump

Instructions

BACKGROUND: A can of highly toxic popcorn has contaminated a circle approximately 10 feet in diameter. The toxic area extends to the ceiling. If the poisonous popcorn is not transferred to a safe container for decontamination, the toxic popcorn will contaminate and destroy the population of the entire city. The popcorn is estimated to have a safe life of exactly 30 minutes before it explodes. Obviously, there is insufficient time to contact authorities and evacuate the city. Therefore, the lives of thousands of people are in your hands.

Inside the circle you will find two cans. One (unsafe) container is about half full of the toxic popcorn. The other (safe) container is available for decontamination.

OBJECTIVE: You must find a way to safely transfer the toxic popcorn from the unsafe container to the safe container, using only the materials provided .  This includes a piece of rope (each approximately 7 feet long) for each person and a bicycle tire tube.

RULES:

1. No participant may cross the plane of the circle with any part of the body. If this occurs, the person must be taken to the hospital immediately (removed from play) and may not participate in any form from then on. The group is responsible for the safety of all its members.

2. No participant may sacrifice himself or herself to aid in the transfer of popcorn.

3. No spills are allowed or the popcorn will explode.

4. Participants may only use the materials provided. However, they can be used in any way desired.

5. The popcorn will not spread its toxicity to the safe can, the ropes, the tube, or the instruction giver. The participants have no protection inside the imaginary cylinder created by the 10-foot diameter rope.

6. The safe container may move anywhere in or outside of the circle. The unsafe container must stay inside the circle, and not be moved more than one foot from its center.

7. Remember, the popcorn must be transferred within 30 minutes or there will be a tremendous disaster.