Marshmallow Challenge

Spaghetti Challenge

Focus Question:
How can we build a tall tower that can hold up to normal weather conditions?
How do engineers build buildings that are tall and sturdy and support weight?

Prediction/Hypothesis:
The stronger the base of our structure, the more likely the structure will stand and not fall. We think that a square shaped base will be best because it will be balanced. If we use more pasta at the bottom and build the structure up from there, adding weight (more pasta) as we go, then the structure will be sturdier and more likely to stand. Also, what we use to join the pasta must be sturdy and not too heavy. If the bond is too heavy, then the structure will be weighed down. Likewise, if the bonds are too loose then the structure will fall.

Materials:
Science Journal
Pasta Noodles
Mini marshmallows

Planning:
Each group is given marshmallows and pasta noodles. The only direction that we are given is that we can only use the materials that we are given. First, we will build a square structure, ensuring that the bonds are tight and not too heavy. Next, we will connect the pasta with the bonds and build up from there. As we build up, we will begin to shorten/break the pasta to ensure proper balance of the structure. Lastly, we make sure that the sides are balanced with both the pasta and the bonds (mini marshmallows).

Data:
BLACK writing in chart is what we did and RED is the result.

Building One:	Used about 20 sticks; and started by using over half at the bottom of the structure. Use less of the bond throughout the structure to properly distribute weight.  The structure fell immediately. Too much weight at top and the structure was not sturdy enough at the bottom.
Building Two:	Used about 30 sticks this time, with half at the bottom, using more of the bond at the bottom and decreasing the amount of sticks and the amount of bond as we worked our way up.  The structure stood for a short time; but still fell due to the fact that too much pressure was used in applying the bond to the sticks which caused some of the sticks to break.
Building Three:	Used about 30 sticks, applying over half to the bottom of the structure, carefully applied the bond so that the sturdiness of the sticks would not be affected. Slowly decreased the amount of sticks used as we reached the top of the building. Used less of the bonded material as we reached the top of the building.  The structure stood as well as was able to be moved around. Applying less of the bond as we moved up caused the weight of the substance to be evenly distributed.

Using the hypothesis of starting from the bottom and diminishing the amount of pasta as we went up, we came to find that the bond holding the pasta together had to be heavier at the bottom. We initially wanted to keep the bond small to ensure that their wasn’t much weight used; but we quickly learned that the bond must be strong at the bottom to support the rest of the structure and then we can diminish the amount of bond used as we work our way up.

Claims/Evidence:
The more pasta we used at the bottom, the more likely the structure is to stand. If the weight is not evenly distributed as you build upward than the structure will not stand. If you forcedly apply the bond to the building, than the sticks will become more fragile and possibly break in the process.  The foundation is the most important element in building the structure. If the foundation is not sturdy than the building will likely not be sturdy and will fall. Yes, more sticks are needed at the bottom; but the sticks must be evenly distributed throughout the entire structure for stability.

Conclusion/Reflection:
To build a tall tower that will hold up to normal weather conditions, you need to add a lot of support to the bottom. I learned a lot form this experiment about weight and proper weight distribution. I wonder if the weight of the bond was greater than the weight of the sticks. If a builder builds a building the cement would not be greater in size than the brick. The bond caused the pasta to be un-sturdy, meaning that the weight of the bond was greater than that of the sticks. If I were to use a different substance to join the sticks together, would the outcome be different? Or if I used a sturdier material to build the structure and used the same bond would the structure of my building be different?