There are alot of books on teambuilding exercises in the management section of any large bookstore (places like Borders and Barnes and Nobel have scores of them). Some exercises are specific teambuilding tasks (like setting a vision, deciding responsibilities), and others are more simulations or role-plays that get team members working together on artificial tasks. It's important to pick an exercise that matches the objectives of the lecture module.
We've looked through a number of these books, and found two exercises that seem to have potential and relevance for a introductory course in manufacturing.
Paper Airplane Exercise
This is a two-part exercise though the first part can be skipped if you
wish. Teams compete to design a paper airplane that is both functional and
aesthetically pleasing. After 10 minutes of design the total group selects
the best one. Then each team has to develop a production process and estimate
how many of these planes they can produce in a 10 minute period, and how
much profit they can make (given costs for materials and expected sales
price for the plane). As they make the planes observers decide whether the
planes meet quality standards.
Team-Based Tower Building
There are several tower building exercises that are engaging and fun for
teams, and they tend to have a "manufacturing" theme. Choice depends
on available materials and time allotted for the exercise.
HRD Press -- has a number of books describing various exercises one can use for teambuilding.
Pfeiffer, J. W. and J. E. Jones (1979). Handbook
of Structured Experiences for Human Relations, Training Volumes 1-7,.
San Diego, CA, University Associates.
A seven volume paperback set of "interventions and instruments"
with a guidebook on their use. Categories include ice breakers, interpersonal
communication, intergroup communication, group process, group problem solving,
and organization development.
Pfeiffer, J. W. (1989). Encyclopedia of Group
Activities,. San Diego, CA, University Associates.
This book contains 150 games and exercises for groups. They range in duration
from thirty minutes to three hours. Full details on the objectives and design
of each game or exercise are included in the book.
Forbess-Green, S. (1983). Enclyopedia of Ice
Breakers,. San Diego, CA, University Associates.
Reference book that provides hundreds of exercises that can be used to begin
sessions with impact, acquaint participants with one another in a comfortable
manner, and re-energize group members during "low" periods. Full
instructions and guidance are provided for each ice breaker.