MIDDLE GRADES FICTION — SCIENCE FICTION

Learning How To Arrive At A Consensus

Space Cadet Academy — Chapter 21

Major Callahan stepped up to the podium then turned to watch the General leave. Once he was out of the room, Callahan addressed the assembled students. “Okay, let’s begin. Why are we here? What’s our end game? How are we different from the other two academies?”

“Your mission statement must tell the world, tell your squadron leaders and other officers and support staff here at the academy, who you are as a class and what you believe in. The task has been made more difficult in having blended this group with students from the other two academies who now make up almost a third of the student body.”

Major Hansen took Callahan’s place at the podium. “For this first part, the squadron leaders will be breaking you up into groups of five, two groups per squadron. They will appoint one of the five to be the leader and a second person to be the recorder. You will be given twenty minutes to come up with answers to the questions Major Callahan has posed.”

The questions appeared on the large screen behind and above the speaker’s podium.

“You may begin.”

Lieutenant chose Kali and JingJing to be the two mini-group leaders for her squadron. Blaise and Tom were appointed as recording secretaries for the mini groups. With that done, the Lieutenant stood back to observe how the teams worked out. The remaining six students sorted themselves out to arrive at two groups of five. Benji, Dirk and Nicole joined Kali’s team, while Sam, Ethan and Ruby joined JingJing’s team.

JingJing’s team was the first of the two to come up with answers to the guiding questions given by Major Legault. At the fifteen-minute mark, the Major called for everyone’s attention.

“I can see that only three of the twelve groups have finished. As a result, I will allow those three groups to take a ten-minute break while the rest of you will have another opportunity to finish up this first task. As you might be learning, if one or more in your group tends to dominate the conversation, the longer it will take for you to arrive at consensus.”

“Remember the General’s words. No one leaves this building until this group has arrived at a mission statement and a motto. Boxed meals will be made available during the normal supper hour. We’ll be staying here all night if it becomes necessary. Now, back to work!”

Four minutes later, Kali’s group finished the first task. Lieutenant Cruse allowed them to leave the amphitheatre for a short six-minute break. By the time the bell sounded to end the ten minutes, all but two groups had finished.

Ten more minutes were given, and still those two groups weren’t able to arrive at a conclusion.

“Okay, it looks like we are at a stalemate with these last two groups,” Major Hansen stated. “Before I give them another fifteen minutes, I want the rest of you to suggest how we can break the stalemate.”

Dirk hesitated a few moments, looking around the room, before raising his hand.

“Yes. Please introduce yourself before you offer your suggestion.”

Hi, I’m Dirk Meister from the Cruse’s Cruisers squadron. Lieutenant Cruse is our squadron leader. We’re in bunkhouse number three. I was wondering if the two remaining groups could have two more members each, the leaders of the first four groups to finish the assignment. Maybe, by sharing their experience, the problems of small group communication could be solved.”

“An excellent idea, Mr. Meister.” Turning to her partner, Major Callahan, Major Hansen asked, “What do you think about Mr. Meister’s proposal, Major?”

“It definitely is worth trying. So be it.”

No one left the auditorium while the two enlarged groups tackled the problem. No time limit was imposed. It took another twenty-two minutes for the last group to finally arrive at an agreement.

“Well done. Now, we will repeat the assignment by having groups of fifteen students, that will mean three of the mini-groups will have to work together. No mini-group will be allowed to join a group with their other squadron members. Again, you will have a time limit for the first go-round. You will select a group leader and a recorder before anything else. You will have twenty minutes. Begin!”

JingJing had been chosen as one of the group leaders. Unsurprisingly, her group was the first to finish. The other three groups didn’t appear to be anywhere near finished, if one judged by the noise and the tones of voice when twenty minutes were finally up.

“Could I have the leader of the only group that has finished stand up?” asked Major Legault. “Please tell us your name and squadron.”

“My name is JingJing, Mah JingJing. I’m from Lieutenant Cruse’s squadron.”

“Miss Mah, can you tell us how you were able to arrive at a consensus so quickly?”

“Ma’am, Major Hansen, I just presented the answers given by the three smaller groups. We voted on them to eliminate the least favoured and then discussed the two remaining options for each of the guiding questions. Then, we voted again to arrive at a majority consensus.”

“Thank you, Miss Mah. Ladies and gentlemen,” Major Hansen said, addressing the cadets. “There is something important in Miss Mah’s words that needs to be considered, as the three remaining groups tackle the problem. You will have another twenty minutes to attempt the task.”

In less than fifteen minutes, all three remaining groups were done. There was a collective sigh of relief, and excitement as they could smell the aromas of boxed hot meals being set onto tables which had been placed against the wall at the back of the amphitheatre.

Major Callahan addressed the group. “Time to eat. We will return to the tasks that await us in thirty minutes. Bon appétit!”

Previously

Thanks to the people who read and interacted to this story. Hopefully, this chapter will keep your interest.

Melissa Coffey, Brian Lageose, K.B. Silver, Jo Letke, Carrie, Chris O. Lisa Duffy-Korpics, Domino Cat, Adda Maria, Msfireballsmom, Amethysta, Anne Chisom, Sai Ezra, and Tristan Mueller