Madison High School’s Robotic Cake Challenge Sweetens STEM Education

Madison High School’s Robotic Cake Challenge Sweetens STEM Education

Madison High School recently blended culinary creativity with engineering during its third annual 3/4 Cup competition, hosting the Robotic Cake Challenge. This unique project, dubbed “bakineering,” pairs baking and engineering students to craft robotic cakes—delicious desserts capable of navigating an obstacle course with at least one moving part.

Throughout February and March, student teams worked collaboratively, combining culinary artistry with precise engineering skills. Under the guidance of Ms. Yeager, Butler Tech Culinary Arts instructor, and Mr. Grody, Butler Tech Engineering instructor, students ensured their cakes met rigorous standards: each design had to be cohesive, aesthetically appealing, entirely edible (apart from an animatronic base carefully wrapped for safety), and able to survive an interactive obstacle course.

Elevating the excitement this year were special guest mentors Sara and Rodolfo, well-known from Netflix’s hit show, Baking Impossible. They provided invaluable insights, inspiring students and emphasizing real-world applications of “bakineering.” Their mentorship represented an authentic Work-Based Learning component, showcasing career possibilities in both culinary arts and engineering.

Teams creatively utilized angel food cake as their primary building material, supported by edible structural elements like crispy rice treats and gummy bear glue, then skillfully decorated with fondant, buttercream icing, modeling chocolate, and gum paste. Students balanced functionality with visual appeal, presenting robotic cakes that were as impressive in action as they were delightful to eat.

The culmination event, the obstacle course, was not only a test of their creations’ durability and functionality but also a celebration of collaborative innovation. Madison High School’s Robotic Cake Challenge once again highlighted how career-technical education inspires students, providing real-world experiences that prepare them for college, careers, and beyond.

Robotic Cake Challenge Winners

1st Place: Bell 4 Green – Pascal the Chameleon