Toothpick Towers
In this workshop, students learned about structural stability by building tall towers using toothpicks and marshmallows.
1. The Concept
Before building, we presented a lesson on structural engineering and geometry. We looked at famous towers and identified the shapes that make them strong.
The key concept is that triangles are the strongest shape. Unlike squares, triangles distribute weight evenly, making them stable building blocks for our structures.
2. Construction
Students worked in teams to design the tallest and most stable tower using toothpicks and marshmallows.
They built a wide base first, then built upwards. They had to reinforce weak joints as the tower grew taller to prevent gravity from pulling it down.
3. The Earthquake Test
For the finale, we simulated an earthquake by shaking the table the towers were built on. We watched to see which towers survived the shaking without collapsing.
Some towers stood strong, while others fell. Students learned how building design impacts stability during dynamic events like earthquakes.