Building STEM Skills with the Gumdrop Tower Challenge

At Drexel Academy, we constantly seek innovative ways to engage our students in STEM activities that foster cooperation and discovery. One such activity is the Gumdrop Tower Challenge, where students are tasked with creating the tallest, freestanding structure using gumdrops and toothpicks.

The challenge begins with students constructing individual towers, aiming to build the tallest and sturdiest structure possible. Once their initial towers are complete, the next goal is to combine their individual creations with their classmates' to form an even taller, more robust structure that can outperform those of other teams. The key to success is creating a stable base capable of supporting the combined weight of all the structures at their table.

We introduced this activity to our upper-level classes (grades 4-7) by discussing the role of geometric figures in everyday life, referencing downtown constructions for real-world examples. Following this, we extended the challenge to our middlers and primary grades. Throughout the activity, students explored mathematical and engineering concepts, learning to strategically place additional toothpicks to reinforce their structures against the force of gravity and ensure they could support additional weight.

The Gumdrop Tower Challenge not only provided a fun and engaging way for students to apply STEM principles but also encouraged teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking—skills that are essential for their future success.