The marshmallow challenge

Why?

The marshmallow challenge is a well-known creativity energizer. The activity will get the students into a creative state of mind through active experimentation with design, while also cultivating their collaboration skills.

How?

The teacher divides the students into groups and provides them with 20 sticks of spaghetti, one role of tape, some string, and one marshmallow. Using these materials, each group is challenged to build the highest, free standing structure with the marshmallow on top, within 18 minutes.

Tips

The teacher provides each group with different materials, so that the groups need to borrow or exchange objects with one another in order to complete the task (e.g. scissors or markers). This activity creates a dynamic interaction throughout the class.

Literature

Skillman, P. (2006). Peter Skillman Marshmallow Design Challenge. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p5sBzMtB3Q

Wujec, T. (2015) The marshmallow challenge; Retrieved from: http://marshmallowchallenge.com

Bager, T. (2011). The camp model for entrepreneurship teaching. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 7(2), 279-296.