Science Design Challenge Marshmallow Tower To build a

Science Design Challenge: Marshmallow Tower To build a tower as high as possible using spaghetti, string, and tape, that would. . . There are many ways of building towers using spaghetti and marshmallows. Materials: 20 pieces of dry spaghetti 1 medium marshmallow Scissors Tape Meter Stick for measuring height String

Scientific Method The steps : • 1. Ask a Question/State the Problem • 2. Form a Hypothesis • 3. Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment • 4. Analyze Your Data • 5. Draw a Conclusion • 6. Communicate Your Results

Question: Do you think a wide base or a narrow base will result in a taller tower?

Hypothesis: If I build a wide base, then I will have a taller tower.

Identification of Variables Independent Variables: (What I can control) Dependent Variable: (Beats me I don’t know) 2 -D Geometric Shapes • Triangle • Square • Circle (Polygon) Height 3 -D Geometric Shapes • Pyramid • Cube • Cylinder or Sphere

Select One Independent Variable Squares and Cubes of fixed sizes Prove or disprove the hypothesis You may or may not have built the tallest tower Gain Scientific Knowledge

Engineering Design Process A series of steps that lead to the development of a new product or system. STEP 1: Identify the Problem STEP 2: Brainstorm ( generate ideas & possible solutions) STEP 3: Design (explore possibilities & select an approach) STEP 4: Build (Model or Prototype) STEP 5: Test STEP 6: Redesign (Refine the design) STEP 7: Share Solutions

No Single “Correct" Solution or Approach “EXPLORER" METHOD Typically used for new design ideas or research. It is useful in initial design and specification stages, and is often used when in "unfamiliar territory“ 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Move in some direction Look at what you find there Record what you find in your notebook Analyze findings in terms of where you want to be Use results of analysis to choose next direction Back to 1 and continue exploring

Summary A Scientist asks a question and develops an experiment, or set of experiments, to answer that question. An Engineer uses the engineering design process to create new solutions to problems Both gain scientific knowledge

Design the Tallest Freestanding Spaghetti Tower Materials : • 20 strands of uncooked spaghetti • 1 m. masking tape • 1 m. kite string • Scissors • Ruler • Meter Stick • 12 “ square of cardboard (build & move tower) Option: Substitute 30 mini-marshmallows for 1 m. of masking tape

Properties of Dry Strand of Spaghetti and Mini-Marshmellow Tension Force Compression Force • Marshmallows do not hold up to tension • Spaghetti cannot hold much tension; therefore, it breaks very easily • Marshmallows handle compression • Spaghetti cannot hold much compression; therefore, its breaks very easily

Problem Solving Tension Force Compression Force Strategy – Fresh marshmallows are more sticky and grip spaghetti Strategy – Double up the spaghetti strands (two strands side by side) for extra strength, especially at the foundation Strategy – Push spaghetti deep into marshmallow Strategy – Use marshmallows side by side for extra strength and use small pieces of spaghetti to pin marshmallows

Properties of String Tension Force String handles tension Compression Force String does not handle compression

Design The Tallest Spaghetti Tower That Can Withstand A Load Materials : • Uncooked spaghetti • 1 m. masking tape • 1 m. kite string • On large marshmallow placed on top (load) • Scissors • Ruler • 12” piece of cardboard (build & move tower) Option: Substitute 30 mini-marshmallows for 1 m. masking tape

Design the Tallest Spaghetti Tower That Can Withstand The Largest Load Option: • Which Spaghetti Tower has the best Structure Effectiveness • Structure Effectiveness = (maximum weight structure can hold) / (weight of structure alone) • Weight tower structure • Place a 3 x 5 file card on top of Tower and add units of mass (washers or pennies) until structural failure

Design the Tallest Earthquake Proof Spaghetti Tower • Build a simple, non-motorized earthquake “shake” table • Allow movement in 6 directions: §Back-and forth §side to side, and §up-and-down • To survive an earthquake test, the building must not collapse for 10 seconds after the earthquake begins.

Design The Tallest Earthquake Proof Spaghetti Tower Challenge Materials : • 20 strands of uncooked spaghetti • 1 m. masking tape • 1 m. kite string • Scissors • Ruler • Meter Stick • 12” square of cardboard (build & move tower) • Earthquake “Shake” Table Option: Substitute 30 mini-marshmallows for 1 m. of masking tape

Types Of Waves Longitudinal Wave Traverse Wave

WAVE A disturbance that travels through a medium, transporting energy from one location (its source) to another location without transporting matter. Particles of the medium move in a direction parallel to the wave motion direction Particles of the medium move in a direction perpendicular to the wave motion direction

Simple Non-Motorized Shake Table Materials: • Piece of board or plywood into a 12” square 2” x 4” Frame that fits around the wood square with around 1/2” clearance between the outer edge of the square and the inside edge of the frame • Eight Wood Screws • Eight Rubber bands (32 or 64)

Assembly: • Mount 2 wood screws on the under side each side of the plywood with ¼” sticking up • Mount wood screws on the top edge of each side of the frame with ¼ “ sticking up • Loop a rubber band around each pair of screws so that the plywood square is suspended like a trampoline within the frame Option: Motorize the Shake Table Attach a cell phone underneath the plywood, set to vibrate (vibration motor); then call phone

Measuring Earthquakes Richter Scale (Math Scale x 10)

Modified Saffir - Simpson Scale (Math Scale x 30 increase in Energy)

Design The Tallest Hurricane Proof Spaghetti Tower Materials : • • 20 strands of uncooked spaghetti 1 m. masking tape 1 m. kite string Scissors Ruler Meter Stick Three speed Box Fan 12” square of cardboard (build & move tower) Option: Substitute 30 mini-marshmallows for 1 m. of masking tape

Measuring Hurricanes Saffir - Simpson Scale

Measuring Tornadoes Enhanced Fujita Scale