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ii. The Assessment Design Framework by Andrew Williams & Michelle Pedlow

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ii. The Assessment Design Framework by Andrew Williams & Michelle Pedlow

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You may sign up/ attend:

27 November 2025, Thursday

9.00 to 11.00 am

Margaret Fairweather Educational Space

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learning-teaching@uwa.edu.au

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Finished tower

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Report Writing – Marshmallow & Pasta Tower Challenge

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Report Writing – Marshmallow & Pasta Tower Challenge

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Introduction

This challenge required our team to build the tallest and most stable tower possible using only marshmallows and dried pasta. What began as a simple hands-on activity quickly evolved into a lesson in teamwork, structural design, and maintaining morale when the tower — and occasionally the group — began to collapse.

Design Rationale

Our initial design centred on a wide triangular base to maximise stability, with the structure narrowing as it rose. We chose triangles because they distribute force evenly and help prevent buckling. The marshmallows acted as joints due to their flexibility, while the pasta served as the primary load-bearing elements. In theory, these principles should have produced a stable, lightweight tower. In reality, marshmallows are far less cooperative than they appear.

Process Photo Explanation

This image shows an early stage of our build, where we attempted a triangular pyramid structure. You can see the base marshmallows forming anchor points on the table, with long pasta strands meeting at a single marshmallow at the top. This was our first attempt to create a tall, central apex supported by three angled beams. At this point, the structure was still holding, but the marshmallows were already starting to compress, making the pasta shift slightly. This is also the moment we realised that alignment and equal tension across each strand were critical—and much harder to achieve than expected.

Challenges & Adaptations

Early in the build, we discovered that marshmallows compress more easily than expected, causing the pasta beams to shift or snap. Our tower swayed dramatically whenever we added height, and the structural integrity declined rapidly. At one point, a group member accepted defeat and began eating the tower, which introduced an unexpected materials shortage. In response, we adapted by shortening the pasta lengths, reinforcing the base, and simplifying our design. We also implemented a “no snacking during construction” rule.

Outcome

Our final structure stood briefly before leaning into an abstract shape resembling modern art more than engineering excellence. Although it wasn’t tall or particularly stable, it demonstrated our ability to adapt quickly and problem-solve creatively under pressure.

Reflection

Individually, I learned how easily a plan can unravel when materials behave unpredictably — or disappear into someone’s mouth. Observing other teams, it became clear that simplicity often trumps ambition, and that steady, deliberate building leads to better outcomes. Many successful groups prioritised stability over height, and their towers reflected this measured approach.

AI-Use Statement

I used generative AI to help refine and structure my written report. The ideas and observations are my own, while the AI supported clarity, organisation, and phrasing.