Here’s another activity to consider that requires less common materials, raw spaghetti and miniature marshmallows. You’ll want to set aside time if your students love this activity like mine do.
| Suggested grade level is sixth. Younger students might struggle with being patient and handling small materials. If you have younger students you might use tape instead of marshmallows to create towers.
After your students complete their structures consider, if space allows, leaving them out on a shelf. As the marshmallows dry the structures remain intact. Kids love seeing their work displayed in the room! You might view this TED talk to find out why kindergarten students are better at this kind of activity compared to grown-ups like CEOs. |
Image credit: Ben Heavner, ITL Program and Laboratory, University of Colorado at Boulder, 2004 Using marshmallows a problem? Consider clay. |
Need examples of student towers?? You’ll find them at Janna’s Blog. Check out this video of a bridge that could hold 5 pounds. I processed it through viewpure.com to delete ads and the extra videos shown down the side of the page.
How to Build a TALL Spaghetti and Marshmallow Tower: http://www.makefuncreating.com/posts/how-to-build-a-tall-spaghetti-and-marshmallow-tower/
A very interesting resource. If you want step-by-step suggestions this site is for you! I appreciate the “pro tips”. Thanks Ethan for sharing!
Consider including poetry with this activity. I have two blog posts, Poetry About Motion and More Poetry about Motion that can get you started collecting poems!
WikiHow has a resource for creating a spaghetti bridge, a popsicle stick tower, and a tower of playing cards. I think all those options goes along with what you suggest in this blog. I like that all the activities need simple stuff so families can try them at home.
I was just talking with some of the 5th and 6th grade teachers about trying to find ways to address the engineering aspect of the Next Generation Science Standards. I like this and the kiddos would love this activity.