Marshmallow Tower Challenge
Estimated Time Required: 30 minutes
Themes: teamwork, construction principles, trial and error
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Learning Points
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Understand the importance of teamwork and failure in science and engineering
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Some shapes are stronger than others
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Even weak materials can be made stronger with good design techniques
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Understand why some models are stronger than others
Materials
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Tape measure
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Timer
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Materials for each team:
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20 sticks of dry spaghetti
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one yard of string
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one yard of tape
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one marshmallow
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Construct the tallest spaghetti tower that has a marshmallow on the top.
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Rules
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You will have 20 minutes to complete the challenge.
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The marshmallow must be on the top of the tower when time is called.
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You may only use the materials provided.
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You may not use any other materials to assist in the support of your tower.
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Tower height is a vertical measurement from the table top up.
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You may stick masking table tape to the table top.
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Spaghetti may be broken into smaller pieces. However, once broken, pieces may not be replaced.
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During the Activity
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Monitor the teams' progress and remind them of the rules if necessary.
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When two minutes remain, give an announcement that there are two minutes remaining. Then again at one minute.
Completion of Activity
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When time is called, measure the height of each team's tower. Declare a winning team!
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What do you think the secret to success is?
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What were your challenges?
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What would you do differently next time?
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What To Do
Discuss