Spaghetti Noodle Towers

 We started our engineering unit last week.  We've learned that engineers build things to solve problems.  They use creative and innovative ideas.  We've also learned there are different types of engineers.  Some may create new things, some take things apart to see how they work, and some study why things don't work.

Our first task as engineers was to make a tower out of spaghetti noodles and marshmallows.  Each small group was given a box with 30 noodles and 30 marshmallows.  Before the groups got started, we discussed the importance of team work and using words of encouragement with each other.  I let the class know that it's okay to feel frustrated when your ideas don't work the first time and asked them how they would handle it.  They all agreed that as engineers they needed to just try a new idea if their first idea didn't work.  The students were so excited to get to work! 

After the first work session, it's not uncommon for groups to end up with snapped noodles and gooey marshmallows.  The class soon learned that marshmallows and noodles are not stable building materials, but they did not give up!  We talked as a class about what was working and not working.  Groups suggested ideas for other groups to try such as doubling up noodles to make them stronger.  In their next work session, they were given 30 more noodles and 30 more marshmallows.  They put their finishing touches on their spaghetti noodle towers in the third and final session!