+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Activity: Leaning Tower of Pasta

For Teachers 6th - 8th
A well-laid-out lesson plan, this can be used in an engineering, STEM, or physical science course. Laboratory groups design a structure using pasta and marshmallows, measure its height and weight, and then discover the load that it can...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Marshmallow Towers

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students explore geometry by completing a marshmallow activity in class. In this architecture lesson, students identify the jobs of civil engineers and architects while identifying different geometric shapes as well. Students utilize...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Leaning Tower of Pasta

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students experiment with different structures to determine which ones are able to handle the greatest amount of load using spaghetti and marshmallows. They discuss how engineers design buildings, construct their buildings and complete a...
+
Lesson Plan
NPR

Introduction to the Engineering Design Process

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Step by step is always best. In groups, future engineers create the tallest possible tower with marshmallows and spaghetti sticks. Along the way, they learn about the engineering design process. 
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Strong as the Weakest Link

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Young scholars discover the types of stress that materials undergo. They examine how bridges and skyscrapers are built to withhold the tension. They create their own structure out of marshmallows and spaghetti.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spaghetti Challenge

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students use materials like marshmallows, spaghetti, and chocolate to build structures. In this building structures lesson plan, students use these materials to construct a building and compare different structures. Students see which...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquakes!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students experiment with the concept of earthquakes while completing a lab with marshmallows, toothpicks, modeling clay and firm Jell-O and rectangular pan. They explore what kind of soil earthquakes do the most damage in and how...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Strong as the Weakest Link

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Young scholars recognize that compression and tension forces are important considerations in building structures. They construct their own building structure using marshmellows and spaghetti to see which structure can hold the most weight.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science to Build On

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine how professionals use science to solve practical problems.  In this scientific process students divide into groups and complete a class activity on building strategies.