Key Stage 3 STEM Challenge
5th December 2025
KS3 students took part in a STEM Challenge (on 4th December, 2025 in the 6th period) to build the tallest, strongest and most creative free‑standing tower using only dried spaghetti and marshmallows. Cellotape on each table acted as a distractor, reminding teams that the focus was on smart engineering rather than simply taping everything together.
Working in house groups, students planned bases, tested shapes and adapted designs when towers began to lean. They used key STEM ideas such as forces, stability and centre of mass, while also applying measurement, estimation and problem‑solving. Equally important were the values on show: teamwork, communication and resilience when structures collapsed and had to be rebuilt.
Kifaru Team A (Alvin, Fatema, Phillippe and Azeem) were crowned winners. Their tower stood 75 cm tall, impressively stable and crucially built without any tape. Simba Team B (Jayson, Lloyd, Rens, Aleena, Alexander and Sienna) came second with the tallest tower at 84 cm, though it was weaker and relied on tape. Third place went to Kifaru Team B (Mercy, Ivana, Manuel and Kimberley) whose 65 cm tower showed great perseverance after early setbacks.
With Kifaru leading overall, followed by Simba and then Chui, the challenge ended with clear ideas for improvement. Next time, students plan to sketch designs first, share roles more clearly and build stronger bases before adding height, carrying these lessons into future KS3 STEM projects.
A big thank you to our assistant Headteacher, Mme Mwangi, our Head of Science Department Miss Ohaga, as well as Miss Mang’oli and Mr Apondi for their support throughout the activity.
Mr Morang’a and Ms Gitura,
KS3 Science Teachers
