Name: ____________________________________________ Group #: _________ Period: _________

Tower of Pasta
Engineering Anatomy
Theme: Engineering, Anatomy, Material Strength, Collaboration
Guiding Question: How do structures distribute weight?
Discrepant Event: How does a spaghetti bridge that weighs less than a
kilogram (2 pounds) hold up 466 kilograms (1027 pounds) of weight? To
put into perspective, this bridge was able to hold up over 1/3 of a Honda
Civics weight.

QR Code: Worlds Strongest

Spaghetti Bridge on Youtube

Materials: Uncooked Spaghetti Noodles & Marshmallows

Problem: Using only the materials given, construct one structure
per group that is as strong and tall as possible. Your group can
modify and use the given materials in any way you deem
appropriate.
Time Limit: Planning (5 minutes). Constructing (15 minutes).
Testing (5 minutes).

1.
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3.

4.

5.
6.

1.
2.
3.
4.

Testing: Document this testing process by video recording with a device.

Each tower must rest on the surface of the table. It may not lean against a wall or be supported
by anything else.
Once the structure is completed, a flat surface (or a container) will be placed on top. It will be
measured from the surface of the table to the top of the surface (or container).
After measuring for height, you will begin placing weights on the flat surface (or in the container)
by starting with the smallest weight. A weight must be held for 3 seconds to count for score.
After three seconds, you will add the next smallest increment of weight.
The weight score will be determined by the previous weight before the structure collapses.
Adding too much weight too quickly can topple your structure before getting more weight on it to
count for scoring.
Your group will finish when the structure breaks, all weights are used, or testing time ends.
The highest scoring group will have their scores validated via video evidence that they followed
all testing procedures correctly.
Scoring: Tower must be at least 10 cm tall to earn points.
10 points for supporting the flat surface (or container).
1 point for each centimeter of height
1 point for each 10 grams of weight supported for 3 seconds.
1 - 10 points for how well your group works together (assigned by instructor).
Flat Surface: Yes / No
Collaboration: ____________

Height (cm): ____________

Weight (g): ____________
Final Score: ____________

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Name: ____________________________________________ Group #: _________ Period: _________

Planning/Design: Use the planning time to sketch out your design and share it with your
group. After your group completes the structure, sketch your groups final design (you might
want to take a picture of it for later before you destroy it with weight).
Your Initial Design
(Planning Stage)

Final Group Design

(Completed Structure)

Questions: Answer the following questions on a separate piece of paper and staple
your answers to this sheet.
1. Shape & Strength: How does a spaghetti bridge that weighs less than a kilogram (2 pounds)
hold up 466 kilograms (1027 pounds) of weight? To put into perspective, this bridge was able to
hold up over 1/3 of a Honda Civics weight.
2. Hypothesis & Design: Explain the rationale for your design in the planning stages. How is the
finished structure different and/or the same from the planned design?
3. Collaboration & Teamwork: How did your group work together? Did someone emerge as a
group leader? How were decisions made?
4. Engineering & Problem Solving: What engineering challenges did your team face while
creating the structure? How did your group handle them?
5. Redesign & Evaluation: If your team were to participate in another round of tower construction,
what changes in design choices would your team make?
6. Teamwork Reflection: Did you feel that you contributed to your group? Either way, how could
you have better contributed to the group dynamic?
7. Interdisciplinary Connection: While compact bone tissue bears most of the weight, does

spongy bone tissue help distribute weight and stress in any way? If so, how? (Hint: Look at a
cross-section of a femur on the Weebly website.)

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