Spaghetti Marshmallow Towers: A Scientific Method Investigation

What a week!  I have almost completely lost my voice with this talkative bunch, but we are having a lot of fun!  These last few weeks we have been exploring the scientific method, and I pulled out one of my favorite experiments, which, for me, doubles as a social experiment.  I actually like to do this within the first two weeks at school because it gives me some good insight about who is a leader, who is a follower, etc.

So after doing some work learning about the Scientific Method, I introduce this experiment by talking about tall buildings around the world, and showing some pictures from the internet on the projector.  We discuss they way the buildings are supported, and why they are able to be built so tall without falling.  Then I tell them that they will have the opportunity to build a tower, but there’s a catch: they only get to use uncooked spaghetti and marshmallows, and they will be competing with other groups to see who can build the tallest tower!  (This is where they always freak out and get excited!)

Step 1:  Write question and make hypothesis.

I divide the students up into groups of five, and hand out the “Spaghetti-Marshmallow Lab Sheet“. The lab sheet guides students through the steps of the scientific method.  Before I hand out materials, students spend time filling out the “Question” that they are exploring, and making a hypothesis.
Question: What design will create the tallest self supporting tower?
I always use the words ‘self supporting’ so the students know that when I measure the towers at the end, they can’t be leaning on something.  They have to stand on their own!

Step 2: Hand out materials and explain “rules”.

Materials Needed per Group:

•  Large poster-board to build on (They can’t go off of the poster-board)
• 1 box Spaghetti Noodles (don’t get thinner noodles because they break easily)
• 1-2  bags large marshmallows
• Students should also bring their lab sheets to their group work area

 Rules:

• 30 minutes to complete the tower- it is HANDS OFF when the timer goes off!
• The Tower must stay on the poster paper
• Everyone must participate
• The tallest self supporting tower at the end wins “Best Design”

Step 3: Start Building!

 Step 4: Measure to find the winning design!

I use a yardstick to measure to the tallest point of each tower, and declare a winner.  The winning group receives $20 Class Cash as part of my Classroom Economy system.  Then, all of the students return to their desks to finish the last steps of their Lab Sheets: Analyze Data and Communicate Results.

We always have a lot of fun with this, and I’m always looking for more fun experiments to teach the Scientific Method.  What are your favorite Scientific Method experiments?
p.s. I forgot to scan one of their finished lab sheets, but I will upload one when I get back to school on Monday!