Marshmallow STEM Challenge
An Engineering Activity for Grades K-12
Big Idea
The Marshmallow Challenge is a STEM activity that emphasizes teamwork, growth mindset, and perseverance through challenges and failure. Students will work in teams to see who can build the tallest marshmallow tower, only using provided materials.
Directions
This challenge is best for 4-12 graders. See variations below for primary grade options. Front-load this challenge with a discussion on growth mindset, positive thinking, working with other, how to deal with frustration (if their tower falls or there's disagreement).
The Marshmallow Challenge
- Pose the challenge: Which team can build the tallest tower, with a marshmallow at the top?
- Your only materials are: 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of string, one yard of tape, one large marshmallow, and (optional) 20 mini-marshmallows. Teams can use scissors and a yardstick to measure.
- You have 1 minute to discuss with your team (without touching materials), and then you will have 10 minutes to build.
- Other requirements: All team members must have a job and participate, each team is responsible for their own design, teams can ONLY use the materials given (they will not get more), and everyone must have a positive attitude - even when frustrated!
- When 10 minutes are up, have everyone WILDLY APPLAUD each team as they get measured. Emphasize that we celebrate each others' successes and failures.
- Be sure to give everyone a marshmallow treat at the end! :)
When to Use
This is a great beginning of the year activity to set the tone for team work, positive thinking, and growth mindset. Also, it's a good activity for coming back from a school break!
- Math connection - talk about structural engineering, the strongest shapes, and look at landmarks around the world to study how they are built.
- Literacy connections - some great books to support the activity: The Three Little Pigs: An Architectural Tale by Steven Guarnaccia, Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty, and Roberto, The Insect Architect by Nina Laden, and Look at that Building! A First Book of Structures by Scot Ritchie.
- STEM connection - discuss the engineering design process. Have students repeat the challenge, focusing on the "Reflect and Redesign" steps to see how they can make their original design better.
Strategy Variations
- K-2nd Grade Challenge: Who can build a house with these materials (cup of toothpicks and a cup of mini marshmallows)? This activity is good for primary students, who are just learning about team project. This is a scaffolded approach to teamwork, where students can choose to work with a partner or alone. However, they all must learn to SHARE the materials (they do not get more).
- 2-4th Grade Challenge: Which team can build the tallest tower with these materials (100 mini marshmallows and 100 toothpicks)? This is an easier challenge, with less materials.
- Try it as a Silent Challenge, with no talking.
- Make it a two person team, have Member #1 tell the other Member #2 how to build they should build the tower. Member #1 cannot touch the materials, they can only use their words to direct.