The Marshmallow Challenge Fosters a Growth Mindset in Wilmot Staff

Developing a Growth Mindset:  Wilmot Staff and The Marshmallow Challenge

 

On August 19, our full staff participated in the Marshmallow Challenge.  Teams were given these simple directions.  In 18 minutes build the tallest freestanding structure you can with 20 pieces of raw spaghetti, 3 feet of masking tape, 3 feet of string and one marshmallow.  The marshmallow must be on the top of the structure.

Each team took a slightly different approach to building their structure but as the clock ticked here is what we observed.

  • Teams collaborated and learned from each other
  • Even as structures began to tumble no teams gave up (Hey, that’s grit)
  • Some staff peeked at their neighbors (Hey that’s okay – learn from others)
  • No two structures were the same
  • Teams used different strategies to build their structure
  • Teams learned from their mistakes
  • Staff talked through their plans making many revisions
  • Staff members expressed that this was challenging – but they kept on going (Hey, that’s perseverance)
  • Every team built a structure and celebrated their own success and that of other teams

In the end, our staff truly fostered what Carol Dweck refers to as a growth mindset.  They embraced the challenge of building a freestanding spaghetti structure, used failure as a means of developing a new strategy, took risks, put forth a lot of effort, and looked to others for ideas and strategies.  In her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (Random House, 2006), Dweck shares the fundamental differences between those who possess a fixed mindset as compared to those with a growth mindset.  Central to Dweck’s work is the idea that intelligence is not “fixed” and that through effort, hard work, and the ability to embrace challenges using varied strategies individuals will grow and learn.  By installing a growth mindset in our students and staff we will change the way we view ourselves as learners.  

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