Low Prep - Easy STEM End-of-Year Activity - Engineering & Building - Marshmallow

The Marshmallow STEM Tallest Tower Challenge is a fun and engaging activity that combines principles of engineering, problem-solving, and creativity.

In this challenge, participants are given a set of materials consisting of 20 pieces of dry spaghetti and one large marshmallow. The objective is to construct the tallest tower possible using only these items while following the engineering process.

Here's a detailed description of the activity:

1. Materials: Gather all the necessary materials, including 20 pieces of dry spaghetti and one large marshmallow per group or participant. Each piece of spaghetti should be of equal length.
2. Introduction: Begin by introducing the challenge to the participants. Explain that they need to construct the tallest tower they can using only the given materials. Emphasize that the tower must support the weight of the marshmallow at the top.
3. Engineering Process: Introduce the engineering process as a framework for tackling the challenge. The engineering process typically consists of the following steps:
   a. Define the problem: Encourage participants to think about the task, the constraints, and the desired outcome. Clarify any questions they may have.
   b. Brainstorm: Allow participants some time to brainstorm ideas and discuss different strategies for building a tall tower. Encourage creativity and collaboration within the group.
   c. Design and plan: Once participants have brainstormed ideas, ask them to select the most promising one and create a plan or design for their tower. They should consider factors such as stability, balance, and the marshmallow's weight.
   d. Build: Participants can now start building their towers using the spaghetti and marshmallow. Remind them to follow their design plan and consider the structural integrity of their tower.
   e. Test and evaluate: Once the towers are constructed, the participants should test their creations by placing the marshmallow on top. Measure and record the height of each tower.
   f. Iterate and improve: After testing, participants should evaluate the performance of their towers and discuss any weaknesses or areas for improvement. They can then make adjustments and modifications to their design, reinforcing the structure or changing the approach.
4. Constraints: Reinforce the constraint that participants can only use the 20 pieces of spaghetti and the one marshmallow. They cannot use any additional materials or adhesives to connect the spaghetti pieces together.
5. Time limit: Set a time limit for the activity to add an element of urgency and foster time management skills. The duration can vary based on the age and skill level of the participants, but typically 20-30 minutes is sufficient.
6. Measurement and Winner: Once the time is up, measure and record the height of each tower using a ruler or measuring tape. The tower with the greatest height, while still supporting the marshmallow, is declared the winner.
7. Reflection and Discussion: After the challenge, encourage participants to reflect on their experience. Facilitate a discussion about the different strategies used, what worked well, what challenges they faced, and what they learned about engineering principles and teamwork.

The Marshmallow STEM Tallest Tower Challenge not only promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills but also encourages teamwork, communication, and creativity. It's a fantastic activity for both children and adults to explore engineering concepts in a hands-on and interactive way.