Curated OER
Activity: Leaning Tower of Pasta
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...
Curated OER
Marshmallow Towers
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...
Curated OER
Leaning Tower of Pasta
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...
NPR
Introduction to the Engineering Design Process
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.
Curated OER
Strong as the Weakest Link
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.
Curated OER
Spaghetti Challenge
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...
Curated OER
Earthquakes!
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...
Curated OER
Strong as the Weakest Link
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.
Curated OER
Science to Build On
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.