Marshmallow Tower
Learners develop algorithmic thinking by designing and building a freestanding structure that can support an object, using toothpicks and marshmallows
What You Need
- Toothpicks (approximately 20 per learner/group)
- Marshmallows (approximately 10 per learner/group)
- Marshmallow Tower - Design and Build Sketch Algorithm
- Marshmallow Tower - Design and Build Sketch Write Algorithm
- Various objects, from light to heavy (examples: a brown paper-bag, small book, rock, etc.)
- Scrap paper
Guide:
Safety Notes
- Ensure you are familiar with Let's Talk Science's precautions with respect to safe delivery of outreach to youth.
- Toothpicks can be sharp! Be sure to hold them by the middle and be careful inserting the pointy end into the marshmallow.
- Do not eat the marshmallows.
What To Do
- In groups of two to four, or individually, learners design a tower that is freestanding (standing alone without extra support) on scrap paper. As students begin, ensure they know what materials are available to them.
- After the design is complete, hand out materials.
- Using their design, learners build their tower.
- Learners test out the strength of the tower using different objects.
- Learners revisit their design and adjust the tower, to make it stronger.
- Using the handout, fill in steps for another person to recreate their tower.
- If there is time, have groups trade instructions, to see if they can recreate each other’s tower.
Discovery
There are numerous ways to build strong structures with objects that may appear weak. The idea is to recognize that certain shapes are very strong through designing, testing, evaluating and debugging, which are key concepts in the development of computational thinking
All structures, even marshmallow towers, are designed and built to support a certain load. Engineers consider different ways to design and construct buildings that have the ability to withstand unexpected, as well as expected, loads of weight. By designing and testing, debugging and trial and error, learners develop computational thinking skills, which further their critical thinking, analytical and problem solving skills.
- Keep adding toothpicks and marshmallows to see how big the tower gets and how many objects it can support.
- Test out different shapes, such as cylinders, triangles and squares to see which towers support weight better.
- Test out how the height and length affect the tower’s ability to support objects.
- Review the Design & Build Process backgrounder on the Let’s Talk Science Educational Resources database.
What's Happening?
There are numerous ways to build strong structures with objects that may appear weak. The idea is to recognize that certain shapes are very strong through designing, testing, evaluating and debugging, which are key concepts in the development of computational thinking
Why Does It Matter?
All structures, even marshmallow towers, are designed and built to support a certain load. Engineers consider different ways to design and construct buildings that have the ability to withstand unexpected, as well as expected, loads of weight. By designing and testing, debugging and trial and error, learners develop computational thinking skills, which further their critical thinking, analytical and problem solving skills.
Investigate Further
- Keep adding toothpicks and marshmallows to see how big the tower gets and how many objects it can support.
- Test out different shapes, such as cylinders, triangles and squares to see which towers support weight better.
- Test out how the height and length affect the tower’s ability to support objects.
- Review the Design & Build Process backgrounder on the Let’s Talk Science Educational Resources database.