STEM Task: Tower Build

Here is a fun, low-prep science experiment for your middle grades class! It's perfect for a Friday afternoon, day before a holiday, or as part of your regular science curriculum. Students will have a chance to experiment with simple, everyday materials to learn about a science concept in a hands-on manner. They will have to make a prediction before completing the experiment and draw a detailed and labelled diagram after they are done. They will also define relevant vocabulary words and answer a question about what they learned.

Tower Build: For this activity, students receive 20 pieces of spaghetti, tape, string, and a marshmallow. They have to build the tallest tower they can to support the marshmallow. Will they break the pieces of spaghetti? What shape of base will be the best design? Will they anticipate how heavy the marshmallow is?

Student Instructions:

1) Using only the spaghetti, string & tape, make the tallest tower that will support the marshmallow (on top or hanging down).

2) You will have ____ minutes on the timer.

How to Use:

Students can work in small groups. Go over the instructions and materials and give students time to predict before they start the experiment. Review the findings and relevant vocabulary after students have completed their experiment and diagram.

Grades to Use With: This activity is great for middle grades (4-7) classrooms or high school special education classes.

Standards:

NGSS3-5-ETS1-1

Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.

NGSS3-5-ETS1-2

Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

If you enjoy this experiment, check out some others in my store:

STEM TASK: Bridge Build

STEM TASK: Falling Slowly

STEM TASK: Floating Layers

STEM TASK: Penny Drop

STEM TASK: Paper Chain

STEM TASK: Bubble Cubes

STEM TASK: Magic Milk

Or, you can get all 8 in a bundle here: 8 Low-Prep STEM Tasks for Elementary and Middle School: Simple Handouts for Each Experiment

One-page PDF handout with with material list, instructions, prediction, vocabulary or reflection, and room for a labelled diagram.