Rocket: A Simulation on Intercultural Teamwork

Rocket is an interactive simulation that helps participants develop and hone important intercultural skills. The simulation mimics the real-life interactions and politics of the Space Station Program and requires participants to work together to assemble a model rocket. The simulation can be used with groups from 4 to 24 people. Participants are divided into 4 groups (Americans, Russians, Japanese, and Europeans) and each given a set of rules that they must follow when interacting with each other. The rules include culture-specific information such as language use, trust, relationship-building, communication style, work ethic, politics, economics, ideology and goals. Each group or space agency is given a specific rocket part to build and asked to work with the other agencies in assembling the rocket. After building the rocket a debrief session occurs where participates are able to process their learning.