Marshmallow Tower Challenge
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as a team of engineers, design and build the tallest possible pasta tower to hold a marshmallow, while effectively communicating our design choices and construction process through descriptive language?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- How can we use descriptive language to explain our design choices and construction process?
- What is the best way to communicate ideas clearly and concisely in a group setting?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to design and construct a tower using limited materials.
- Students will be able to collaborate effectively in a team to achieve a common goal.
- Students will be able to communicate their design choices and construction process clearly and concisely.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsThe Marshmallow Challenge: Failure Resume
Students participate in a rapid prototyping challenge, building the tallest freestanding structure they can in 18 minutes using only spaghetti, tape, string, and a marshmallow. Afterward, they create a "failure resume" reflecting on lessons learned about teamwork, design, and problem-solving under pressure. This connects directly to the project goals by highlighting the importance of iteration and learning from mistakes, while also encouraging creative problem-solving.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Brainstorm Bonanza: Tower Design Blueprints
Students will begin by individually brainstorming different tower designs, focusing on structural integrity and stability. They will then sketch their ideas, label key components, and write a brief description of their design's strengths. This activity encourages creative thinking and lays the groundwork for collaborative design.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed sketch of a tower design with labeled components and a descriptive paragraph.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal of designing a tower using limited materials.Teamwork Tower Talk: Collaborative Design Meeting
Students will form teams and share their individual designs. Each team will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each design and collaboratively create a final design that incorporates the best elements from each individual idea. They will practice active listening, negotiation, and compromise to reach a consensus.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA finalized team tower design sketch with a written explanation of the design choices and rationale.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal of collaborating effectively in a team and communicating design choices.Pasta Power: Construction Chronicle
As teams construct their towers, they will document their process through written observations. They will record challenges faced, modifications made to the original design, and rationale behind those changes. This activity emphasizes the importance of clear and concise communication, as well as the ability to adapt to unexpected problems.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA construction chronicle detailing the building process, including challenges, modifications, and a rationale for each change, accompanied by visual documentation.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goals of constructing a tower, collaborating effectively, and communicating the construction process clearly.Marshmallow Moment of Truth: Descriptive Debrief
After testing the towers, students will write a descriptive debrief explaining their tower's performance, what they learned from the experience, and how they would improve their design in the future. They will use descriptive language to convey the successes and failures of their tower, and reflect on the overall teamwork and design process.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed descriptive debrief analyzing the tower's performance, lessons learned, and potential improvements for future iterations.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses all learning goals, focusing on tower design, teamwork, and clear communication of results and reflections.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioPasta Tower Challenge Rubric
Tower Design & Planning
Assesses the quality and thoughtfulness of the initial tower design, including structural considerations and potential challenges.Design Clarity & Detail
Evaluates the clarity, completeness, and feasibility of the tower design.
Exemplary
4 PointsDesign is exceptionally clear, detailed, and demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of structural principles. Includes comprehensive labeling and addresses potential challenges proactively.
Proficient
3 PointsDesign is clear, detailed, and demonstrates a solid understanding of structural principles. Includes clear labeling and identifies potential challenges.
Developing
2 PointsDesign is somewhat clear but lacks detail in certain areas. Shows a basic understanding of structural principles, but may not fully address potential challenges.
Beginning
1 PointsDesign is unclear, lacks detail, and demonstrates a limited understanding of structural principles. Labeling is minimal or absent, and potential challenges are not addressed.
Teamwork & Collaboration
Assesses the effectiveness of teamwork and collaboration in developing a final tower design.Collaborative Contribution
Evaluates the extent to which each team member contributes to the final design, demonstrating active listening, negotiation, and compromise.
Exemplary
4 PointsAll team members actively and equitably contribute to the design process, demonstrating exceptional listening skills, willingness to compromise, and leadership in facilitating consensus.
Proficient
3 PointsTeam members contribute effectively to the design process, demonstrating good listening skills, willingness to compromise, and ability to reach a consensus.
Developing
2 PointsSome team members contribute more than others to the design process. Listening skills and willingness to compromise are inconsistent, hindering the ability to reach consensus.
Beginning
1 PointsOne or two team members dominate the design process, with limited input from others. Poor listening skills and unwillingness to compromise prevent the team from reaching a consensus effectively.
Construction & Adaptation
Assesses the team's ability to construct the tower, adapt to challenges, and document the construction process.Construction Process & Documentation
Evaluates the clarity and thoroughness of the construction chronicle, including documentation of challenges, modifications, and rationale.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe construction chronicle is exceptionally clear, thorough, and insightful. It provides detailed documentation of challenges faced, modifications made, and the rationale behind each change, demonstrating a deep understanding of the construction process.
Proficient
3 PointsThe construction chronicle is clear and thorough, providing detailed documentation of challenges faced, modifications made, and the rationale behind each change.
Developing
2 PointsThe construction chronicle is somewhat clear but lacks detail in certain areas. Documentation of challenges, modifications, and rationale is incomplete or inconsistent.
Beginning
1 PointsThe construction chronicle is unclear, lacking detail, and provides minimal documentation of challenges, modifications, or rationale.
Reflection & Communication
Assesses the quality of the descriptive debrief, focusing on analysis of tower performance, lessons learned, and potential improvements.Descriptive Debrief & Reflection
Evaluates the depth and insightfulness of the descriptive debrief, including a clear explanation of tower performance, lessons learned, and potential improvements.
Exemplary
4 PointsThe descriptive debrief is exceptionally insightful and demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the design process. It provides a clear and comprehensive explanation of tower performance, articulates valuable lessons learned, and proposes innovative improvements for future iterations.
Proficient
3 PointsThe descriptive debrief is insightful and demonstrates a solid understanding of the design process. It provides a clear explanation of tower performance, articulates important lessons learned, and proposes practical improvements for future iterations.
Developing
2 PointsThe descriptive debrief is somewhat insightful but lacks depth in certain areas. The explanation of tower performance, lessons learned, and proposed improvements is incomplete or superficial.
Beginning
1 PointsThe descriptive debrief is uninsightful, and demonstrates a limited understanding of the design process. The explanation of tower performance, lessons learned, and proposed improvements is minimal or absent.