Marshmallow Challenge Materials: Each team gets… 20 strands of spaghetti, 1 yd. of tape, 1 yd. of yarn, a marshmallow, and a pair of scissors. Goal: To practice good teamwork and build the tallest freestanding structure with the WHOLE marshmallow on the top

Rules Cooperate and Show Good Teamwork: Each team starts with 30 teamwork points. If your team shows any signs of poor teamwork, your team loses 10 points EACH time. Putdowns are doubled! Build the Tallest Freestanding Structure: Every team that has a freestanding structure earns 10 points. The team that has the tallest structure measured from the table top surface to the top of the marshmallow earns another 10 points. The second place team earns another 5 points. “Freestanding” means the structure can NOT be leaning against anything, held by anyone, or suspended from a higher structure, like a chair, ceiling, or light fixture. The Entire Marshmallow Must be on Top: The entire marshmallow needs to be on the top of the structure. Cutting or eating part of the marshmallow disqualifies the team.   Use as Much or as Little of the Materials: The team can use as many or as few of the 20 spaghetti sticks, as much or as little of the string or tape. If your spaghetti breaks, you do NOT get replacements! Break up the Spaghetti, String or Tape: Teams are free to break the spaghetti and cut up the tape and string to create new structures. The Challenge Lasts 18 minutes: Teams can NOT hold on to the structure when the time runs out. Those touching or supporting the structure at the end of the exercise will be disqualified. 

Cooperation and Teamwork What does cooperation mean? What does good teamwork look like? What can you do to be a good team member? Does having a leader help or hinder a team? What are the qualities of a good leader?

Take five minutes to discuss strategies for building your structure. Make sure EVERYONE in your group gets a chance to share an idea. Decide on the best strategy.

Journaling Title and date your entry: The Marshmallow Challenge. Write in proper paragraph form with complete sentences! Describe what you did in this activity. Use details! Rate how well your group worked as a team (from 1=terrible to 5=great) and EXPLAIN your rating. Explain what you would have done differently to make a better structure and work as a team. Explain what you learned from this activity.