This worksheet accompanies the popular Marshmallow Challenge, a fun and engaging activity that teaches crucial engineering and teamwork skills. Whether you're a teacher, facilitator, or simply looking to understand the challenge better, this guide provides a framework for maximizing learning and fun.
Understanding the Marshmallow Challenge
The Marshmallow Challenge is deceptively simple: build the tallest freestanding structure you can using only 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and one marshmallow. The catch? The marshmallow must be on top. This seemingly straightforward task reveals valuable insights into design thinking, prototyping, collaboration, and iterative development.
Before You Build: The Planning Phase
This section is crucial. Jumping straight into construction often leads to suboptimal results. This worksheet encourages structured pre-construction planning.
1. Brainstorming & Ideation (Worksheet Section 1)
- Team Roles: Assign roles within your team (e.g., designer, builder, materials manager, tester). Clearly define responsibilities.
- Initial Sketches: Sketch out at least three different design concepts. Consider various structural approaches (e.g., tripod, pyramid, layered construction). Note down the reasoning behind each design. Include space on your worksheet for these sketches.
- Material Considerations: Discuss how you will best utilize the limited materials. Will you prioritize strength, stability, or height in your initial designs?
2. Prototype & Iteration (Worksheet Section 2)
- First Prototype: Build a small-scale prototype using a subset of materials to test your initial design concepts. What works? What doesn't?
- Iterative Design: Based on your prototype's performance, make adjustments to your design. Document these changes on your worksheet. Include sketches and brief notes on modifications.
- Team Communication: How effectively did your team communicate during the prototype phase? What improvements could be made in communication strategies?
During Construction: The Building Phase
3. Construction & Testing (Worksheet Section 3)
- Divide and Conquer: Utilize your assigned roles to efficiently construct the tower. One person may focus on the base, another on the mid-section, and another on attaching the marshmallow.
- Time Management: Allocate time effectively. Avoid rushing the construction process; careful and deliberate actions are key.
- Testing and Adjustments: Continuously test the stability of your structure during construction. Make necessary adjustments as you build. Note down any significant adjustments or challenges encountered during construction.
After Construction: Reflection & Analysis
4. Post-Construction Analysis (Worksheet Section 4)
- Measurement & Evaluation: Measure the height of your final structure. How does it compare to your initial expectations?
- Successes & Failures: What aspects of the design and construction process worked well? What could be improved?
- Teamwork Reflection: Assess your team's collaboration. Were roles clearly defined? Was communication effective? What lessons did you learn about teamwork?
- Overall Design: Evaluate the overall structural design. What are its strengths and weaknesses?
Worksheet Extensions
- Comparative Analysis: Compare your design and results with other teams. What are the key differences in design approaches and outcomes?
- Advanced Concepts: Research different structural engineering principles (e.g., tension, compression, shear) and relate them to your design choices.
This worksheet provides a detailed framework for a successful Marshmallow Challenge experience. Remember that the learning isn't just about building the tallest tower; it's about the process, the collaboration, and the valuable lessons learned along the way. By thoughtfully engaging with each section of this worksheet, participants will gain a deeper understanding of design thinking and problem-solving skills.
