Get a CUP and...Go!

NEA Today, Mar 2005 by Rabovsky, Sarah

If you think stacking cups means putting away the dishes, you have some catching up to do. Although it may sound more like a chore, this fastpaced game has been growing wildly popular among students of all ages, with an estimated 7,500 cup-stacking programs worldwide.

THE CHALLENGE involves moving a dozen small cups-similar to everyday tumblers-into numerous pre-determined stacks and sequences, and doing it as speedily as possible. More and more, physical education teachers across the country are using cup-stacking to improve hand-eye coordination, reaction time, ambidexterity, and focus.

But is it a sport? Industry pioneer Speed Stacks Inc. thinks so, and P.E. teacher John Dunlop of Portage, Michigan, agrees. When Dunlop's students get stacking, it really brings out their creativity and competitiveness, he says. Cup-stacking also "offers something for kids that don't traditionally excel in P.E.," Dunlop adds.

Still, don't try this at home. Just because your kids excel at cup-stacking doesn't mean they should practice on your china!

-SARAH RABOVSKY