Marshmallow Challenge

Build the tallest structure possible in 18 minutes using nothing but spaghetti, tape, and string, topped off with a marshmallow on top – ready, set, go! Used by teachers, students, organizations, and companies all around the world, this challenge has become an example of how teamwork, communication, collaboration, and the design process can help lead to innovative ideas. According to the Marshmallow Challenge official website, Tom Wujec (creator of the design challenge) believes, "the marshmallow challenge is among the fastest and most powerful technique for improving a team's capacity to generate fresh ideas, build rapport, and incorporate prototyping – all of which lie at the heart of effective innovation."

Sixth graders at Putnam Ave. in the Digital Design Elective, taught by Instructional Technology Specialist Ingrid Gustafson, worked together in small groups to complete this challenge. At the end of 18 minutes only one group was able to have a standing structure that help up the marshmallow, but it was enough to win the design challenge. Congratulations to Sage Ballard and Henock Andre for their winning tower! For the second challenge, students were asked to use the same materials to design the most creative structure. Students made everything from words arranged out of spaghetti to a bench to hold the marshmallow.

The Marshmallow Challenge was a perfect way to begin thinking about teamwork and innovation as the Digital Design students have been tasked with solving a problem using technology for their final projects. The sixth graders have access to a variety of materials such as MaKeyMaKey kits, littlebits, Scratch, Lego WeDo kits, and MIT’s App Inventor to come up with their prototypes for their solutions.

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Marshmallow Challenge

Putnam Avenue Upper School