How to Implement

• Have the girls work in groups of three or four.
• Introduce the challenge:
  • Tell the girls they are about to engage in a challenge that thousands of people around the world have also tried.
  • Tell them that each team will get an envelope or bag with the materials and instructions inside. They will have 18 minutes to complete the challenge.
  • Be clear about the goals and rules of the Marshmallow Challenge.
    • Goal
      • The goal is to create the tallest freestanding structure measured from the floor that has a marshmallow on top. That means the structure cannot be suspended from a higher structure, like a chair, a chandelier, or the ceiling.
    • Rules
      • The entire marshmallow needs to be on the top of the structure. Cutting or eating part of the marshmallow disqualifies the team.
      • Use as much or as little of the kit as needed. The teams can use as many or as few of the 20 spaghetti sticks and as much or as little of the string or tape as they find necessary. The team cannot use the paper bag or mailing envelope as part of their structures.
      • Each team only gets one set of materials. Make sure the girls understand they don’t get replacements.
      • Teams are free to break the spaghetti and cut the tape and string to create their structures.
      • The challenge lasts 18 minutes. Teams cannot hold onto the structure when the time runs out. Those touching or supporting the structure at the end of the exercise will be disqualified.
    • Ensure everyone understands the rules: Repeat them at least three times. Don’t worry about repeating the rules too many times—you can’t! Ask if anyone has any questions before starting.
• Pass out the materials to a representative of each team, they shouldn’t open the bag or envelope until you start the timer.
• Start the countdown clock and the music (optional) with the start of the challenge.
• Walk around the room. It’s amazing to see the development of the structures as well as to notice the patterns of innovation most teams follow. This is a good way for you to see how the girls work with others right away.
• Remind the teams of the time, regularly. Count down the time, calling 12 minutes, 9 minutes (halfway through), 7 minutes, 5 minutes, 3 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute, 30 seconds and a 10-second countdown.
• Call out how the teams are doing, letting the entire group know how teams are progressing. Bring attention to teams that are working well together. Encourage people to look around and borrow ideas (not copying). Don’t be afraid to raise the energy and the stakes.
• Remind the teams that their structure needs to be stable. Several teams will have the powerful desire to hold onto their structures at the end. Usually this is because the marshmallow, which they just placed on their structure moments before, is making the structure buckle. The final structure needs to be stable.
• Finish the challenge. After the clock runs out, ask everyone in the room to sit down so all can see the structures. Likely, just over half the teams will have standing structures.
• Measure the structures. From the shortest standing structure to the tallest, measure and call out the heights. If you’re documenting the challenge, have someone record the heights. Identify the tallest tower and ensure the girls celebrate everyone’s accomplishments.
• Wrap Up Discussion
  • Were you proud of what you made? Did you use all of the spaghetti? Tape? String?
  • Was there a time that you thought about giving up? How did you get past that feeling? How can you use what you learned in this experience to persist next time you encounter a difficult task?
  • What was an effective strategy your team used to build the tower? What would you do differently next time?
• Introduce the idea of persistence: to try again and again even when something is very hard. Does everyone get everything right the first time?
• Congratulate the girls on a difficult task and take pictures of the towers.