Materials (per team)

• 1 Marshmallow
• 20 Spaghetti Strands
• 1 Meter of Masking Tape
• Measuring Tape

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The Task

Your task, in groups of 3-5 participants, is to build the tallest free-standing structure using the provided materials. The structure must support a marshmallow at the very top. The winning team is determined by measuring the height of the structure from the table surface to the top of the marshmallow – the tallest structure claims victory.

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Rules to Keep in Mind

• Use Only Provided Materials: Your structure should consist only of the 20 spaghetti strands, the masking tape, and the marshmallow.
• Marshmallow Integrity: The marshmallow must remain intact and unaltered.
• Time Limit: You have 14 minutes to complete the challenge. Once time’s up, hands off!

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Conclusion

More than just a simple challenge, the Marshmallow Challenge is a vivid illustration of the principles of prototyping in action. While business school graduates often start with detailed plans, akin to a conventional analytical approach, children typically engage in direct trial and error, embodying the essence of rapid prototyping. This stark contrast in strategies between the two groups underscores the effectiveness of the "test early, learn quickly" approach. Prototyping, as demonstrated in this challenge, is about starting with a basic idea concept, and refining it through iterative steps. This dynamic process of building, testing, and evolving, which is natural for children, mirrors the practicalities of real-world prototyping. It emphasizes the importance of adaptability, rapid iteration, and responsiveness over rigid planning. The Marshmallow Challenge serves as a practical example of how adopting a prototyping mindset can lead to innovative solutions and efficient problem solving in project management and beyond.