The Marshmallow Challenge is a popular team-building and creativity exercise that has gained widespread popularity in corporate settings, classrooms, and workshops.
Developed by Tom Wujec, the challenge is a fun and engaging way to teach important lessons about collaboration, innovation, and problem-solving.
It encourages participants to think outside the box and work together to build the tallest freestanding structure using only a few materials.
Definitions:
- Marshmallow: A soft, spongy, and sweet confection made primarily of sugar, water, and gelatin, often used as the pinnacle of the structure in the Marshmallow Challenge.
- Freestanding Structure: A construction that can support itself without external support or attachments.
Best Practices:
- Embrace Collaboration: The Marshmallow Challenge is all about teamwork. Encourage open communication, active listening, and constructive feedback among team members to devise the best solutions.
- Time Management: Time is limited during the challenge, so prioritize tasks effectively and allocate time wisely between planning, building, and testing.
- Iterate and Learn: Don’t be afraid to test different approaches and learn from failures. Iteration is key to improving your design and maximizing your chances of success.
- Simple but Stable: Opt for simple and sturdy designs that are easy to build and have a stable base. Complexity may increase the risk of collapse.
- Creative Use of Materials: Explore different ways to use the materials provided. Think beyond conventional approaches and get creative with unconventional solutions.
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Examples:
- The Towering Spaghetti Wonder:
One team decided to use uncooked spaghetti as the main structural element, weaving them into a triangular pattern for stability. They placed the marshmallow at the very top, supported by intersecting spaghetti strands. The result was a tall and impressive tower that stood steady until the end of the challenge. - The Balloon Bravado:
Another group chose to utilize balloons and straws creatively. They inflated a balloon partially, secured it to the top of a straw tower, and carefully balanced the marshmallow on the balloon’s neck. The air in the balloon provided just enough support to keep the marshmallow aloft, achieving an unexpected and effective solution.
Remember, the Marshmallow Challenge is not just about who builds the highest tower but about the lessons learned through collaboration, problem-solving, and creativity.
Whether in a corporate setting or a classroom, this fun and insightful exercise can foster team spirit and inspire innovation. We hear this from customers that have ordered our full set of courses.
So, are you ready to take on the Marshmallow Challenge?
With 30+ years of training experience, I founded Oak Innovation (oakinnovation.com) in 1995. I help busy training professionals and business managers deliver better training courses in less time by giving them instant access to editable training course material. I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from University College Cork. I hold qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. Clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.
