Faculty test collaboration with Marshmallow Challenge

Faculty and staff cheer during the Marshmallow Challenge, a team-building activity using spaghetti, tape, and a marshmallow. One person measures their leaning tower as others laugh and react around the table. — Faculty members watch as their leaning structure is measured at the end of the Marshmallow Challenge. Photo by Shyam Tailor.

Six smiling faculty members celebrate winning the Marshmallow Challenge, posing with their spaghetti and marshmallow tower. The team holds up one finger and proudly gathers around the table during the team-building activity. — Winning faculty group in the Marshmallow Challenge with their 27-inch tower. Photo by Shyam Tailor.

UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry faculty put their teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills to the test during the Marshmallow Challenge at the annual summer retreat on July 29.

The hands-on exercise was led by Christine Habrle, MLS, MA, manager of training and development with the UTHealth Houston Office of Human Resources. “This is going to test your leadership, communication, and collaboration skills,” she told participants as they sat in teams at round tables with colleagues.

The challenge, invented by Peter Skillman and popularized by Tom Wujec, is a simple but eye-opening team-building exercise. Using only spaghetti sticks, string, tape, and one marshmallow, the groups had to build the tallest free-standing structure, with the marshmallow placed on top. Cell phone use was prohibited, ensuring teams stayed fully engaged in the activity without looking up building techniques.

Faculty quickly began constructing their structures, racing against the 15-minute clock. The challenge encouraged creative thinking, rapid problem solving, and group work, all in a playful and competitive atmosphere.

Some of the smallest teams finished first, while others experimented with different approaches, sharing ideas, and adjusting when something didn’t work. Several groups noted that one participant assumed a leadership role and guided their build.

All teams observed that the marshmallow was heavier than expected, making it difficult for the spaghetti to support, often buckling or snapping under the weight.

In the end, one team’s structure measured 26 inches and another reached 27 inches, claiming bragging rights for the tallest tower.

Participants reflected on the insights gained, including leadership styles, communication strategies, and the value of having fun as a group.

While the focus was on fun and engagement, faculty also walked away with practical insights into teamwork and innovation that can be applied in the classroom, clinic, and research settings.

The exercise concluded with a TED Talk by Wujec, who presented research into the “marshmallow problem,” exploring why some teams consistently outperform others, what improves performance, and what tends to limit it.

The Marshmallow Challenge was part of two days of professional development and team-building activities during the school’s summer retreat.