TED Marshmallow Challenge

This is one of my favorite Engineering/Team Building activity of all times!  The challenge is simple:  teams are given 18 minutes to design and construct a structure using 20 sticks of spaghetti, 1 yard of tape, 1 yard of string, and 1 marshmallow.  The marshmallow must be placed at the highest point on the structure.  Through this exercise, the students practiced the basic principles of construction and design while learning to cooperate as a team.

It was amazing watching the students at work!  In the end, there were 2 standing structures, 2 fallen towers, and a marshmallow simply sitting on the tabletop next to a pile of spaghetti.  Teamwork was evident.  The mission was a success!

1st Place: Ky, Alex, Robby

2nd: Cole, Zoe, James
3rd: Max, Sydney, Grace

I challenged the students to try the challenge at home with their families.  It is a great bonding activity to try after dinner one evening.   After you try it, check out the TED conversation here.  You'll be surprised by the groups who perform the best on the challenge!  Kindergarten graduates follow close behind the leading architects and engineers!