#marshmallowchallenge

[iamambitious]

THE MARSHMALLOW CHALLENGE

The room buzzed with anticipation as participants gathered around tables filled with an assortment of materials - spaghetti sticks, tape, and marshmallows. It was time for the Marshmallow Challenge, a popular team-building exercise that tests creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. The objective was simple: construct the tallest freestanding structure using only the given materials. As the participants eagerly awaited the start of the challenge, the atmosphere was filled with excitement and a sense of friendly competition.

The Marshmallow Challenge is not just any ordinary team-building exercise; it is a test of ingenuity and teamwork. As the participants gathered around their respective tables, they carefully examined the materials in front of them. The spaghetti sticks, tape, and marshmallows seemed like a peculiar combination, but they were the building blocks for what was to come.

Participating in the Marshmallow Challenge as an entrepreneur student provided invaluable insights into the world of entrepreneurship. This essay will delve into the personal insights that I learned from the activity, and how these lessons can be applied to the entrepreneurial journey.

The Marshmallow Challenge is a hands-on activity that aims to foster creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Participants are given a limited amount of time to construct a tower using unconventional materials, with the added challenge of balancing a marshmallow on top. This exercise simulates the real-world challenges faced by entrepreneurs, such as resource constraints, time pressure, and the need for innovative thinking.

[imagineitbetter]

Birthday Paradox & Marshmallow Challenge Part 2

WEEK 3 CTEC502 – Birthday Paradox and Marshmallow Challenge

The Marshmallow Challenge

Set up:

After running a little experiment to understand the birthday paradox we were asked to make groups of threes with the classmates that have a close or similar birthday to you. Each group was to sit in a separate table and were given :

20 uncooked spaghetti sticks

1 long strip of masking tape

1 string strip

1 marshmallow

18 Minutes to complete the challenge

Simple instructions and objective

Build the tallest freestanding structure

The whole marshmallow must go on top of the structure

The team can only use the given materials to build the structure ( no smart ideas, like looking online for tips )

The challenge began:

My first thoughts were, we need a strong base, we could use the tape to bind the spaghetti around to support each other somehow, I only lightly considered the weight of the marshmallow.

Between my group mates we discussed few ideas, mainly on the base of the structure, and then afraid of running out of time I suggested we started testing them as to see if any would work or not

We planned to make a square base with the spaghettis, stand and tape four spaghettis against each corner of the square, build a second square on top of the 4 spaghettis and continue with the process until having a tall structure then add the marshmallow on the top

We weren’t successful on our plan; we ran out of time and the structure never really stood, this was the case of most of our teams

The lesson:

Our failed attempts left a lesson however:

We learnt that people with most success on achieving the tallest freestanding structure are children, why? Because kids are curious they use all their senses to explore the world, usually they would play with the marshmallow from the start and realised the obstacles, they would prototype and adventure sooner than adults, as adults get stuck on the planning and analysis first and consider the marshmallow until last

Identifying the “marshmallow” to every problem, is the first step in solving it, meaning identify the hidden assumptions

Design requires to apply all our senses to the task, thinking, feelings and actions

Prototyping is key, early testing our ideas beyond our brain, words and drawings will facilitate the success of our projects or even better may bring up a new idea to live and make the project go into a different direction. Prototyping does not have to be expensive or flashy

Teamwork and time management cannot be left out

Tom Wujec: Build a tower, build a team | TED Talk

Tom Wujec explains the Marshmallow challenge value better, but few highlights I take from his research are:

The capacity of play and prototype are essential

Teamwork and time management, specialised skills and facilitation skills are the combination that leads to strong success

Nature of incentives and success: High stakes bring a strong impact but not always positive if it does not come along high skills

Learning about the Birthday paradox and how to identify the hidden assumptions “Marshmallow challenge” made me think about the docuseries on Netflix 100 humans, 100 Humans | Netflix Official Site , which I recommend to watch

Reference:

How to Run the Marshmallow Challenge

Tom Wujec: Build a tower, build a team | TED Talk

[designcreativetechnologies]

The “Marshmallow Challenge” (again)

We just conducted the “Marshmallow Challenge” in a group of 60+ university students, and I’m realising that I’ve been facilitating this activity for over a decade. I’ve been lucky to do this both as a participant and as a tutor in a variety of contexts and cultures in Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. I keep learning from this rather simple hands-on session, so I thought I’d write something about it.

Even before going into the activity, just looking at the search trends is itself informative: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&q=marshmallow%20challenge. First, the term clearly took off after Tom Wujec’s TED Talk in February 2010, nothing surprising there but just to mention that people had been doing this activity for many years prior. Tom’s talk and website are great, though this also means that every year more people are aware of the activity. I guess we will have to keep tweaking it to make it relevant. On this note, I’ve actually implemented this activity with many considerable variations: giving fake money to teams so that they can purchase more or different materials, giving some teams twice as many strands of spaghetti, introducing rules for team formation, etc. Also possibly interesting from the trends that this activity “peaks” every year around August/September, and that Singapore, the USA, Canada, and Hong Kong are the places most interested in it.

Wujec’s talk covers a range of lessons to think about, yet its emphasis on the Financial Crisis of 2008/09 is now dated, and it gives priority to issues of collaboration. These are obviously important, but there many other angles about this activity that are worth discussing depending on the crowd and the specific content being covered.  This is why, I think, I like the Marshmallow Challenge: it is a fun activity (which is harder than one would think), it is very hands-on and collaborative, and it is easy to scale-up. Supermarkets around the world stock the materials needed, and these are low cost. Only paper/cardboard-based activities are better in this way. I do like using building blocks (like Lego), but they are bulky to carry around, and unfortunately, most universities can’t deal properly with such requests: too expensive as class materials, and not expensive enough as infrastructure investment. It is a shame, I admit, to waste food like this, but given the potential lessons to be learned, I’d say that the cost/benefit analysis is still positive. Also, the competitive aspect of it isn’t ideal, as it perpetuates zero-sum outcomes, but to that point, one can argue that teams learn from what other teams do as well, so there is some “collaboration” when it comes to the learning side of it.

Now to the activity (trying to not give too much away), these are some key ideas and questions supported by this activity:

1. Materials are important. Physicality is a means to think and generate ideas that is often neglected, particularly in a screen-based world. Get the hell away from your keyboard, mouse, joystick and screen. Use objects and materials around you, and use them as means to be creative.

2. Cheap materials are important. Some people assume that it���s good to spend money to build and evaluate ideas. I was once in an institution that gave design teams $1,000 for their projects. Next year we cut it to $500 and the following year to $300. Guess what happened in terms of quality of ideas? Here’s a hint: go and grab readily available materials, junk, rubbish, and low-cost items that you can use freely and not feel guilty about “wasting”. Never think that design and creativity is an area where you can solve a problem by “throwing money at it”. Yes, ideation does seem wasteful to the untrained eye, and it is resource-intensive, so best if you prepare and recycle and reuse.

3. Hands-on building in teams is engaging. Combining materiality with orchestrating action in a small team is quite powerful. Granted, some teams are more conducive to engagement than others, and one interesting discussion point is how teams “self-organise” and how people build the “atmosphere” of the team and then that atmosphere “responds” and shapes how people feel and behave. Some teams include a passive observer, other teams have an authoritative leader who gives instructions, other teams are quite flat and cooperative. There is no recipe, and “success” occurs in various types of teams. But, frankly, who wants to work with a**holes?

4. Instructions and facilitation. I’ve seen the Marshmallow Challenge being conducted in rather poor conditions and led rather poorly. Granted, some spaces are more appropriate, and some groups are a delight to observe how they embrace and enjoy the activity, whilst others can be more dull and cynical. It is always interesting though to see how humans are predisposed to “cheat”, there is invariably someone who probes to see if they can “bend” the rules, or just goes ahead and does it. It is important to remind people that this is an “honest” activity, in that there isn’t any trick involved. I blame “creativity coaches and gurus” who do often pose stupid and tricky puzzles to “test” the creativity of audiences.

5. Iteration. Won’t say much about this, but the activity is particularly useful for people to grasp a solid idea of the difference between having an idea and then building/coding it, and developing your ideas as you tentatively examine ways of implementing them. It seems that this isn’t natural for most people, and you can’t really explain what this means until you actually do it. Opportunities to talk about failure are strong after this activity.

6. Time. Today we saw only two teams (out of 12) finishing a self-standing structure in the 18 minutes available. By the way, I think that giving teams 6 minutes would increase the success rate, in a way 18 minutes is too long, but that is just a hunch. Interestingly, today as we watched the video, two other teams managed to finish their towers and these were higher than the first two. This created a good occasion to talk about how creative ventures usually go over budget and time, and how “nailing” the timeframe in every creative project is a skill that we all should aspire to develop.

I’ve run out of time and I’m sure there are a few more topics to cover here. Will try to create a follow-up post, especially if/when I see questions or issues raised by others.

[msweetwood]

What You Need To Know About Getting Started With Cryptocurrency

What You Need To Know About Getting Started With Cryptocurrency

What You Need To Know About Getting Started With Cryptocurrency Anyone who is good with money will tell you how vital investing is. Even if you discover a bank account with a nice interest rate, your savings won’t increase very much in a savings account. However, once you begin investing your money, you can watch it grow over time. You should start thinking about it right away because getting…

[edenopolis]

Red and white installation for the lovely @haitianbeauty25 :). We had so much fun with this one! You have radishes, fresh mozzarella stained with beet juice, white carrots, beet hummus, marshmallows, raspberries, strawberries, white chocolate, candy canes, apples, Brie cheese covered in cherry compote, white cauliflower, African sweet peppers, roses, and so much more! . . . . . #redandwhite #edibleinstallation #edenopolis #hamptonschef #creativecatering #arialshots #cocktailhours #whitechocolateraspberry #candycanechallenge #marshmallowchallenge #chefschoice #foodiesofinsta #hudsonvalleyweddingvendors (at Hamptons) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNhpX-InCpG/?igshid=j9toomt3fja5

[attitude271]

Follow :⏩@itsmy_attitude_ Join with our empire : #itsmy_attitude_ 📲Turn on the notification 🔔 #marshmallow #marshmallows #marshmallowfluff #marshmallowpops #marshmallowman #marshmallowscarf #marshmallowslime #marshmallowfondant #marshmallowchallenge #marshmallowclouds #marshmallowworld #marshmallowfireside #quotes #inspirationalquotes #motivationalquotes #quotestoliveby #lifequotes #quotesoftheday #quotestagram #quotesaboutlife #quotesdaily #life #viral #growth #facts #fact #factory #facts💯 #tagify_app (at Marshmallow) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAu2zZhHKgK/?igshid=p7va9fnnzdph

[kimpichot-blog]

#marshmallowchallenge in class today. Can't wait to see what they build! #completesuccess #teambuilding #innovation #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship (at Andrews University School of Business Administration) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsbEZPIFJpY/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=6ausvxkejkxi

[acsej82-blog]

We’ve been doing the marshmallow challenge in all of my classes to promote collaboration and communication. It’s been so fun!! #marshmallowchallenge #buildatower #STEMed

[youngesociety]

Milwaukee Promise Zones students have great ideas and we will be building businesses based on their plans. #BGR8 #Milwaukee #FollowTheYES #MarshmallowChallenge #Entrepreneurship #STEM #MakerCamp (at Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

[pennysalcedo]

12-August-2017 Marshmallow Challenges Part 1 & 2 UPLOADING SOON!!🤗 Subscribe now: www.youtube.com/aquapenny12! And don't forget to click the 🛎 to get instantly notified of every new and latest activity!! Thanks much for the love on my channel! XoXo, PS 🦋💖 #youtube #youtuber #youtubechannel #subscribe #subscribemyyoutubechannel #aquapenny12 #PennySalcedo #PStv #PS #thanksforyoursupport #marshmallowchallenge #deepwaterbaybeach #hongkong #homekong (at Hong Kong)

[captaincalamitytv]

The Captain Calamity Adventures YouTube Channel 2 Great New Episodes NUMBERS UP Mr Biscuit returns to The Lollipop Lighthouse with another hilarious story using numbers to illustrate along the way. It's a brilliant and clever telling of an ingenious numerical tale Video link: https://youtu.be/bAaWnP57CAg MARSHMALLOW CHALLENGE Wayne Wonder takes on Captain Calamity's 'Chubby Bunny Marshmallow Challenge'. The rules are simple. You must place as many marshmallows in your mouth as possible whilst repeating the phrase 'Chubby Bunny'. Video link: https://youtu.be/fn6I59jTfSE #Marshmallows #marshmallowchallenge #foodchallenge #epic #epicfail #epicwin #chubbybunny #fluffybunny #mummyblogger #daddyblogger #pranks #kidscast #kidtropolis #kidstv #kidssafe #kidsshow #numbers #storytelling #candychallenge #captaincalamity

[purpledcake]

Just another day at the office, apparently. Life is weird sometimes. • #course #LSS #marshmallowchallenge #yyc #worklife #alwayslearning (at Calgary, Alberta)

[kayodekolade]

Can you guess what they're saying? #marshmallowchallenge #staffretreat #teambonding #adultgames #learningisfun

[jaderrcr]

Os alunos das disciplinas de Empreendedorismo, Administração e Marketing Esportivo e Gestão em Atendimentos Estéticos participaram do “Marshmallow Challenge”. Trata-se de uma atividade simples aplicada no mundo todo para profissionais de diversas áreas: construir uma torre de espaguete com um marshmallow na ponta em 30 minutos. “O principal objetivo do deste desafio é promover a integração do trabalho em equipe e, principalmente, avaliar como os grupos vão desenvolver um produto em 30 minutos, resolvendo o problema da pressão, pensando de forma inovadora para conseguir chegar ao resultado final que é fazer uma torre de macarrão onde consiga suspender um marshmallow. A torre mais alta em conjunto com a melhor atuação em equipe apontam o grupo vencedor”. O trabalho em equipe e teste de produtos para corrigir possíveis falhas são essenciais para um negócio. Os protótipos e simulações são tão importantes quanto um estudo de mercado antes de investir em um produto ou abrir uma empresa. “Hoje em dia, a maioria das empresas estão buscando pessoas que consigam se comunicar melhor, fazer um trabalho em equipe para atingir o objetivo em seus projetos. Por mais técnicas que forem as pessoas, o principal objetivo que as empresas desejam é formar líderes. Esse tipo de trabalho além de uma visão de inovação, incentiva o trabalho em equipe” . Em poucas palavras: aprender brincando! 😂😂 #MarshmallowChallenge #DesafioDoMarshmallow #Empreendedorismo #AmoMuitoTudoIsso #Administração #TeamWork (em IESP Faculdades)

[kotobato]

This is a real #learning #pyramid w/ #creative #handwork n hard work. And I was the most enjoyed guy as usual :P #marshmallowchallenge #idea #education #college #teamwork #teambuilding #collaboration https://bit.ly/3f41mGy

[justbgraphic]

Today’s Math class! . Students were challenged today to build the tallest tower … Today's Math class! 😎. Students were challenged today to build the tallest tower 🗻made out of spaghetti straws🍝while balancing a piece of marshmallow on top!