Engineering Design Challenge Plan Gail Dickinson Teacher name: 7th Grade Science Subject/Grade: 40 minutes Time required: Groups of 4 Student teams: Overview: summary of what students “do” in this problem-based project Students will engage in a challenge in which they create a tower using marshmallows, spaghetti and tape. Content required for lesson: Students must have an understanding of: Shapes that are used to build structures such as bridges or buildings Materials and how they react to tension and compression Weak points, strong points, connections, joints, etc. Engineering Design Process Lesson introductory activity: Students will research on the Internet how structures are created using materials and shapes. They will share the information that they learned from the research with the class in a whole class discussion. Challenge description: (include final project) Students will create the tallest spaghetti noodle tower within a certain time limit following a list of criteria. Criteria and Constraints (include materials needed) · Tallest tower · Use as much or little materials as you wish · Tape cannot be used to attach structure to ground · Tower will be free standing for at least 10 seconds · The time limit is 20 minutes · Materials: 25 spaghetti noodles, 25 mini marshmallows, tape, measuring tape Connection to real-world: Teacher will show a presentation or video that explains how different shapes and structures are used in creating buildings, bridges and other structures. How will this be assessed? Teacher will use a check list or rubric to asses: Use of time, cooperation and the successful creation of a structure Adapted from lesson found at: http://kats.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Spag_towers_instructions.pdf ...

1. Engineering Design Challenge Plan
Gail Dickinson
Teacher name:
7th Grade Science
Subject/Grade:
40 minutes
Time required:
Groups of 4
Student teams:
Overview: summary of what students “do” in this problem-
based project
Students will engage in a challenge in which they create a tower
using marshmallows, spaghetti and tape.
Content required for lesson:
Students must have an understanding of:

2. Shapes that are used to build structures such as bridges or
buildings
Materials and how they react to tension and compression
Weak points, strong points, connections, joints, etc.
Engineering Design Process
Lesson introductory activity:
Students will research on the Internet how structures are created
using materials and shapes. They will share the information
that they learned from the research with the class in a whole
class discussion.
Challenge description: (include final project)
Students will create the tallest spaghetti noodle tower within a
certain time limit following a list of criteria.
Criteria and Constraints (include materials needed)
· Tallest tower

3. · Use as much or little materials as you wish
· Tape cannot be used to attach structure to ground
· Tower will be free standing for at least 10 seconds
· The time limit is 20 minutes
· Materials: 25 spaghetti noodles, 25 mini marshmallows, tape,
measuring tape
Connection to real-world:
Teacher will show a presentation or video that explains how
different shapes and structures are used in creating buildings,
bridges and other structures.
How will this be assessed?
Teacher will use a check list or rubric to asses:
Use of time, cooperation and the successful creation of a
structure
Adapted from lesson found at: http://kats.org/wp-
content/uploads/2014/07/Spag_towers_instructions.pdf