Activity

Battle of the Beams

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

Make the strongest beam possible using taffy? Groups mold a taffy-water mixture into a beam and a reinforcing material of their choice. To finish the final installment of a two-part series, participants test its strength by adding weights until the beam breaks.

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CCSS: Designed
NGSS: Designed
Instructional Ideas
  • Have a contest to determine the winning beam design
Classroom Considerations
  • A variety of materials is necessary for the activity; see materials section for complete list
  • Be sure to follow any district wellness policies before using candy in the activity
Pros
  • Provides a list of safety issues and troubleshooting tips
  • Includes worksheets with instructions and diagrams
Cons
  • None
Common Core
NGSS