Question/Purpose: Can we construct a tower made of marshmallows and spaghetti noodles that will be free
standing and the tallest in class?
Hypothesis (example): Using a pyramid shape, a tower can be constructed out of marshmallows and spaghetti
noodles to be the tallest in class. The pyramid shape will allow the base to be sturdy and be able to take the weight
of the remainder of the tower; just like the Pyramids of Giza.
Materials:
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20 raw spaghetti noodles
10 regular sized marshmallows
10 mini marshmallows
30cm of masking tape
5 index cards (if needed)
Procedures:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Using 6 reg marshmallows and 6 whole pieces of spaghetti construct your base in a triangle shape (double
triangle).
Place one piece of whole spaghetti in on the top side of each marshmallow (looks like a teepee).
Place a reg marshmallow on the tip of each outside piece of spaghetti sticking out of the base reg
marshmallow and a mini marshmallow on each piece of spaghetti sticking out of the inside triangle.
Add a whole piece of spaghetti to the reg marshmallows top side. (tape if needed)
Place a mini marshmallow on each piece of spaghetti.
Continue building up until there are no supplies left.
Measure from base to tallest part of tower in centimeters.
Marshmallow Tower Height
Group
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Conclusion:
Tower Height (cm)
21.5
76
2
14.5
52
37
24.5
71.5
Observations
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I restated my question or purpose.
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I restated my hypothesis and told if it was proven or disproven
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I gave my tower height and compared it to the tallest and shortest towers.
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I have stated ways my lab can be improved or changed
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I have at least 2 factors that affect the validity of the investigation (the things that went wrong.
The purpose of the lab was to see who could build the tallest marshmallow tower. Our hypothesis of using a
pyramid shape to build the tower was disproven. Our tower height was only 24.5cm; whereas the tallest tower had
a height of 76cm; a difference of 51.5cm. Our tower was taller than the shortest tower; 2cm; by 22.5cm. To
improve our lab we would devise a better building plan. The validity factors were handling the marshmallows too
much and making them sticky, not having all the noodles the same height when they were handed out, and
breaking the noodles when putting them in the marshmallow.