The Sweetest Form of Applied Science
Every Halloween, over $10 billion flows through the United States economy. This year will shatter previous records, with a whopping $13.1 billion. Of that sum, nearly $4 billion is spent on candy, making it the single most popular purchase category, ahead of costumes and decorations.
This is not just a consumer trend; it is a massive, complex business, driven by agriculture, food science, advanced manufacturing, packaging technology, global trade and logistics.
From Unwanted Treats to Unstoppable Structures
Project Candyland was born from a seemingly mundane, much more common problem: waste.
A little boy was staring at a massive, unwanted pile of Halloween candy. Unlike his friends, he didn't just see “junk food”; he saw untapped potential. He began to wonder: What should he do with the candy he didn’t want to eat?
His instinct was to build.
He quickly discovered that creating a stable, cool structure was not trivial. It actually required strategy and the creative use of different candies. He later would find that what he needed were the answers to real-world challenges, such as:
What materials provide the best strength? (Physics)
How does humidity affect the properties of sugar-based mortar? (Chemistry, Food Science)
How do you support large masses without using large mases? (Engineering)
The $4 Billion Justification
That single, simple idea illuminated a connection between these fun projects and real-world challenges: the confectionery industry, which drives billions in sales, relies on the same kinds of skills Project Candyland teaches.
For students, this competition is fun, but it’s also something more; it's training for a future with food, science, and the global supply chain. They learn to grapple with the very questions and concepts that industry leaders tackle daily. Things like:
Material science, where the quality and stability of edible structures mirror the quality control needed for candy manufacturing, transportation, and shelf stability.
Retail strategy, when students try to find the materials for their project, they get an understanding of the market. Consumers are now spending a record $34.24 per person on Halloween, many shopping at discount stores (42% of sales). Understanding consumer behavior is key.
Economics, since 79% of shoppers anticipate higher prices due to factors like tariffs, so students are indirectly exploring global trade and pricing strategies as they budget how they acquire their own "building materials."
Project Candyland helps kids turn the sticky, discarded leftovers of this annual, now record-breaking consumer event into a grand tour in STEM. It is an invitation to master measurement, foods, architecture, and engineering to make stable structures, preparing students to enter an industry where billions of dollars depend on their ability to think creatively and build reliably.
“NRF Consumer Survey Finds Halloween Spending to Reach Record $13.1 Billion”. National Retail Federation. September 18, 2025. https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/nrf-consumer-survey-finds-halloween-spending-to-reach-record-13-1-billion