Evaluation of a stem event

Evaluating another program can support teachers to develop and implement age-appropriate activities to support learners. The
following evaluation is of a competition held annually in Australia.
Component Your response
Name of existing activity The Spaghetti Bridge Competition
or program (annual competition held in Queensland)
Site (where you found this The Engineering Link Group – Spaghetti Bridge Competition (telg.com.au)
URL etc)
Overview of the Overview
activity/program,
including learning The Spaghetti Bridge Competition was created to provide students with a “fun, challenging opportunity for students
outcomes and the to test their engineering skills” (Engineering Link Group, 2021). The competition is held annually in Queensland and
purpose of the task applies the method of design thinking with the Engineering Design Process to create a protype in accordance with
the rules and conditions set out on the website. Students work in teams of four in an attempt to create the strongest
bridge. The design specifications state that the bridge must be constructed with the prescribed materials (detailed
below) and weigh no more than 300 grams with a span of 35 centimetres (a two centimetre allowance is granted to
be secured during testing).

Learning Outcomes

Students have opportunities to use higher-order thinking skills to develop and produce their bridge design. The
program has a strong focus on planning, creativity, problem-solving and teamwork – real world skills needed now
and into the future.

Purpose

The competition is designed to generate interest in the engineering field. As students engage in the activity they are
developing knowledge and understanding of engineering, physics and mathematics. Linda Pfeiffer, from Central
Queensland University, argues that by engaging in this process, students will develop
problem solving skills, learn to be innovative and creative thinkers, and
also have the flexibility to adapt to the changes that the future will bring (Pfeiffer, 2017 cited in Heggarty, 2017).
Resources needed The competition rules state that only store-bought spaghetti and glue can be used. The organiser provides schools
with load plates and require one to be attached to the bridge for testing. Teams have the option of using PVA, hot
glue or super glue for their design. No other materials are permitted to be used.

Intended Year level The Spaghetti Bridge competition is open to students in Year 5 to 12. For the purpose of this evaluation, the middle
years have been chosen (years 5 to 8).
Alignment with the This task aligns with the Australian Curriculum learning areas of Mathematics, Technologies and Science. An
Australian Curriculum overview of the content descriptors for students in the middle years has been recorded.

Mathematics

Year 5
- Choose appropriate units of measurement for length, area, volume, capacity and mass (ACMMG108)
Year 6
- Convert between common metric units of length, mass and capacity (ACMMG136 )
- Solve problems involving the comparison of lengths and areas using appropriate units (ACMMG137)
Year 7
- Investigate conditions for two lines to be parallel and solve simple numerical problems using reasoning (ACMMG164)

Year 8
- Establish properties of quadrilaterals using congruent triangles and angle properties, and solve related numerical problems
using reasoning (ACMMG202 )

Technologies

Year 5 & 6
- Investigate characteristics and properties of a range of materials, systems, components, tools and equipment and evaluate
the impact of their use (ACTDEK023)
- Critique needs or opportunities for designing, and investigate materials, components, tools, equipment and processes to
achieve intended designed solutions (ACTDEP024)
- Select appropriate materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques and apply safe procedures to make designed
solutions (ACTDEP026)
- Develop project plans that include consideration of resources when making designed solutions individually and
collaboratively (ACTDEP028 )
Year 7 & 8
- Analyse how motion, force and energy are used to manipulate and control electromechanical systems
when designing simple, engineered solutions (ACTDEK031)
- Analyse ways to produce designed solutions through selecting and combining characteristics and properties of materials,
systems, components, tools and equipment (ACTDEK034)
- Generate, develop, test and communicate design ideas, plans and processes for various audiences using appropriate
technical terms and technologies including graphical representation techniques (ACTDEP036)
- Select and justify choices of materials, components, tools, equipment and techniques to effectively and safely make designed
solutions (ACTDEP037)
- Use project management processes when working individually and collaboratively to coordinate production of designed
solutions (ACTDEP039)

Science

Year 5
- Identify, plan and apply the elements of scientific investigations to answer questions and solve problems using equipment
and materials safely and identifying potential risks (ACSIS086)
- Decide variables to be changed and measured in fair tests, and observe measure and record data with accuracy using digital
technologies as appropriate (ACSIS087 )
- Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations (ACSIS218)
Year 6
- Identify, plan and apply the elements of scientific investigations to answer questions and solve problems using equipment
and materials safely and identifying potential risks (ACSIS103)
- Decide variables to be changed and measured in fair tests, and observe measure and record data with accuracy using digital
technologies as appropriate (ACSIS104)
- Compare data with predictions and use as evidence in developing explanations (ACSIS221)
- Reflect on and suggest improvements to scientific investigations (ACSIS108)
Year 7
- Collaboratively and individually plan and conduct a range of investigation types, including fieldwork and experiments,
ensuring safety and ethical guidelines are followed (ACSIS125)
- Measure and control variables, select equipment appropriate to the task and collect data with accuracy (ACSIS126)
- Reflect on scientific investigations including evaluating the quality of the data collected, and identifying
improvements (ACSIS131 )
Year 8
- Collaboratively and individually plan and conduct a range of investigation types, including fieldwork and experiments,
ensuring safety and ethical guidelines are followed (ACSIS140 )
- Measure and control variables, select equipment appropriate to the task and collect data with accuracy (ACSIS141)
- Reflect on scientific investigations including evaluating the quality of the data collected, and identifying
 improvements (ACSIS146)
Application to a The activity promotes collaborative learning within the STEM discipline. The activity could be easily adapted for
classroom students in Years 3 and 4 as the requirements of the task are not tedious. The rules and conditions are very detailed
and give the reader a clear understanding of what is required. For students in the middle primary years, the activity
could be modified to hold x number of cars rather than weights. Scaffolding of the bridge building process would also
be needed to build their understanding of the structural features and physical properties used by engineers. The use
of spaghetti and glue would also be a cheaper alternative to purchasing more expensive materials, for example balsa
wood.
Additional information - Photographs or diagrams outlining the construction process
you would need

References:

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). (2019). F-10 curriculum: Mathematics.
Mathematics | The Australian Curriculum

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). (2019). F-10 curriculum: Science.
Science | The Australian Curriculum

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). (2019). F-10 curriculum: Technologies. Design and Technologies.
Design and Technologies | The Australian Curriculum

The Engineering Link Group. (2021). Spaghetti building competition 2021.

The Engineering Link Group – Spaghetti Bridge Competition (telg.com.au)