Spaghetti Tower (Dennis Yong, Mark Rothenay, Audrey Benson)

Author(s)

Audrey Benson (Moorpark High School)

Mark Rothenay (Bert Corona Charter High School)

Dennis Yong (Canyon High School)

NGSS Engineering Standards

Communicate scientific and technical information about why the molecular-level structure is important in the functioning of designed materials. HS-PS2-6

1. Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)

2. Developing and using models

3. Planning and carrying out investigations

4. Analyzing and interpreting data

5. Using mathematics and computational thinking

6. Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)

7. Engaging in argument from evidence

8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

Materials needed

• 1 marshmallow

• 20 spaghetti sticks

• 3 ft of tape

• 3 ft of string

Procedure

Within 18 minutes, teams must build the tallest free-standing structure out of 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and one marshmallow. The marshmallow needs to be on top.

Questions

• What makes the winner structure successful?

• What can you do to improve your performance?

• What forces have to be taken into account as you build your structure?

Photos

Photo Album