3ryon
Iteration
The results of the Marshmallow Challenge highlight the importance of iteration. The task is to build the tallest free-standing structure out of 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and one marshmallow in 18 minutes. The marshmallow needs to be on top. As you can see from the results graph kindergarteners outperform all groups except the “Architects & Engineers” group. This is attributed to the fact that adult groups typically spend much of the 18 minutes planning their structure and then implementing at the very end. When they place the heavy marshmallow on top their structure often collapses and they have very little time for redesign.
The kindergarten groups spend very little time planning, they iterate instead. They start building early in the process and redesign constantly, keeping the marshmallow on the top of their structure the whole time. They are not stuck at the finish line with a structure which can’t support the marshmallow.
For more information and a TED talk on the Marshmallow Challenge visit: marshmallowchallenge.com/Welcome.html This might be an interesting in-class project.
Iteration
The results of the Marshmallow Challenge highlight the importance of iteration. The task is to build the tallest free-standing structure out of 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and one marshmallow in 18 minutes. The marshmallow needs to be on top. As you can see from the results graph kindergarteners outperform all groups except the “Architects & Engineers” group. This is attributed to the fact that adult groups typically spend much of the 18 minutes planning their structure and then implementing at the very end. When they place the heavy marshmallow on top their structure often collapses and they have very little time for redesign.
The kindergarten groups spend very little time planning, they iterate instead. They start building early in the process and redesign constantly, keeping the marshmallow on the top of their structure the whole time. They are not stuck at the finish line with a structure which can’t support the marshmallow.
For more information and a TED talk on the Marshmallow Challenge visit: marshmallowchallenge.com/Welcome.html This might be an interesting in-class project.