Marshmallow Challenge

Reflection

• Description/Reflection (Marshmallow Challenge) - describe your experience - how did you do; how well did your team work together; how did your process change after you watched the TED TALK and did an informed repeat trial; what you learned; or what was the purpose of the exercise - 50-100 word reflection - 0, 5 or 10 points
• After your write your Reflection, re-write it as an IB-Style 9-Point Essay with three themes and 3 bullet supporting arguments for each theme

I thought that the marshmallow challenge was a great introduction to IB Design Tech. Though it was just a simple 18 minute long activity, it resembled and simulated real-life situations and concerns that we must all be prepared for.

On the "uninformed effort", we built a simple tower that was 18 inches tall simply using basic common sense. We watched the TED Talk. During the "informed" effort, we used tips included in the TED talk to make our tower more structurally sound. We tried using more proven strategies like using repeated geometric patterns(triangles). We were doing pretty well too. Our group created a 24 inch tower(3 inches taller than the winner of the "uniformed" round). But it was a bit wobbly. We tried to secure the tower and keep it from falling but to no avail. We had to scramble to create another tower and ended up with a 9 inch tower(1/2 the height of our first tower).

I learned a lot in this activity. I learned that a team must work together in order to do well. I learned that listening is better than speaking in some cases and that others often have better ideas than you do. However I also learned that sometimes I must present my own course of action and take charge. I learned that I shouldn't bit of more than I can chew. Otherwise, I will just choke. My group made the tower too tall and the base couldn't properly support the upper half of the structure.

IB Style Reflection

Prototyping Process

• Our group made the same base both rounds. In our various prototypes in both rounds, we identified weak spots in the base and reinforced them.
• Our group created basic designs and always made sure to test the design with the marshmallow before proceeding.
• For the tallest part of the tower, we realized that we could use the string to prevent the tower from falling.

Teamwork

• All members had equal say
• We all worked together towards a common goal
• We divided up responsibilities and designated roles for each person during the rounds

Leadership

• If the team thought that someone's idea for the tower was feasible, they temporarily became the leader.
• The leader of the team changed constantly. If one idea stalled, others would introduce ideas and then they would become the informal leader.
• There was no "jockeying for power" as said in the TED talk. All of these leadership changes were fully peaceful.