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
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...
DiscoverE
Reach for the Skies
Scholars view the film Reach for the Skies to learn about the Shangai Tower. Following a discussion and observation of premade shapes, pairs design and construct a tower using uncooked pasta, straws, newspaper, tape, and marshmallows....
Curated OER
Strong as the Weakest Link
Students 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
Learners 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. Learners 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
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.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Leaning Tower of Pasta
Using spaghetti and marshmallows, students experiment with different structures to determine which ones are able to handle the greatest amount of load. Their experiments help them to further understand the effects that compression and...
Science Museum, London
Science Museum: Spaghetti Challenge
In this race against the clock, students learn the importance of good design technique and distribution of mass as they work in teams to build the highest tower possible out of dried spaghetti and marshmallows.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Tall, Sturdy Building
Build the tallest tower possible from stale marshmallows and spaghetti, which will support the weight of a toy gorilla. Make improvements on the design so that it is as stable as possible while keeping the cost of materials within a...