No.263
Marshmallow Challenge
Japanese name: マシュマロチャレンジ
You can scroll an enlarged diagram from side to side. Press again to return to its original size.
Diagram key
- A
- Measure the height.
- B
- 1 item on top
- C
- Let go.
Materials
- 20 sticks of dry spaghetti per team
- 1 marshmallow per team
- 1 m each of masking tape and string per team
- Scissors, a tape measure and a timer
How to play
- Give each team identical materials. In 18 minutes, build a freestanding tower with one whole, uncut marshmallow on top.
- Spaghetti, tape and string may be cut or divided. Do not cut or eat the marshmallow. Packaging and tools must not become part of the tower.
- Begin discussing and building at the signal. Do not suspend the tower from a wall or ceiling or tape it to a table or floor. Announce the remaining time to all teams together.
- After 18 minutes, everyone lets go. Measure only towers that remain freestanding during measurement, from the supporting surface to the top of the marshmallow.
- Teams discuss what they tested first and what they changed after a collapse. If repeating, use fresh materials in the same quantities.
Ways to adapt
Older primary children can participate with an adult facilitator. Allow extra time for planning and practising explanations.