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Lesson Title: Spaghetti Anyone? Building With Pasta
Grade Levels: 5-8
Connection To Curriculum:
Physical Science, Mathematics
and Engineering Technology
Teacher Prep Time: 15 minutes
Lesson Time Needed: 1.5 hours
Complexity: Basic
Keywords: design process,
structures, geometry, failure
Materials:
Uncooked thick spaghetti
Marshmallows
100 cm (1 m) of masking tape
Scissors (to cut spaghetti)
Science journal
Pencil
Metric ruler or meter stick
Marshmallows
100 cm (1 m) of masking tape
Scissors (to cut spaghetti)
Science journal
Pencil
Metric ruler or meter stick
Description
Use the engineering design process to build a structure to handle the greatest load. Gain first-hand experience with compression and tension forces.
Objectives
Students will:
• Test factors affecting the strength and stability of a structure.
• Use the design process to identify the problem and brainstorm, design, build, test, redesign and share their solutions.
• Measure and record strength and amount of weight the structure will hold.
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Lesson Guide Spaghetti Anyone? Building With Pasta Lesson [112KB PDF file] |
Professional Development Training Modules for This Lesson
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› Engineering Design Process training module → Note: Module may take a few minutes to load. 
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› Spaghetti Anyone? training module → Note: Module may take a few minutes to load.
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› Failure as a Concept training module → Note: Module may take a few minutes to load.
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› Help me! I can't access the training module. |
Lesson Activities and Sequence
NASA "Why?" Files: The Case of the "Wright Invention"
- Create a design for your spaghetti structure.
- Build the tower.
- Redesign to correct for any structural flaws.
- Draw the final design at the bottom of this page.
- Measure and record the height of your structure.
- Share your model with the class and compare heights to other models.
National Standards:
National Science Education Standards, NSTA
Science as Inquiry
• Understanding of scientific concepts.
• An appreciation of "how we know" what we know in science.
• Skills necessary to become independent inquirers about the natural world.
• The dispositions to use the skills, abilities and attitudes associated with science.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, NCTM
Ratios and Proportional Relationships
• Analyze proportional relationships and use them to solve real-world and mathematical problems.
Geometry
• Solve real-life and mathematical problems involving angle measure, area, surface area and volume.
ISTE NETS and Performance Indicators for Students, ISTE
Creativity and Innovation
• Create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
• Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.
Communication and Collaboration
• Contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems.
Science as Inquiry
• Understanding of scientific concepts.
• An appreciation of "how we know" what we know in science.
• Skills necessary to become independent inquirers about the natural world.
• The dispositions to use the skills, abilities and attitudes associated with science.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, NCTM
Ratios and Proportional Relationships
• Analyze proportional relationships and use them to solve real-world and mathematical problems.
Geometry
• Solve real-life and mathematical problems involving angle measure, area, surface area and volume.
ISTE NETS and Performance Indicators for Students, ISTE
Creativity and Innovation
• Create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
• Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.
Communication and Collaboration
• Contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems.