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News & Photos
Physics and Pumpkins
Pumpkins and a homemade slingshot made a great physics lesson and problem-solving challenge, fourth graders discovered last week.
The annual Punkin Chunkin on November 1 gave students an opportunity to launch small gourds at fake tombstones positioned at the base of Chapel Hill. Each tombstone contained a prize. If their gourd hit one, they won the prize inside.
Each two-person team got one shot. They had to figure out how to position their projectiles in the makeshift slingshot (plastic funnel with tubing attached) and when to release them. Teachers George Webb and Craig Whiteford provided the force. They walked forward to stretch the tubing until each student pair let go.
After each release, hopes soared along with the apple-size gourds that one would hit a target. If there were any doubts, teacher Patrice Preston stood at the bottom of the hill to arbitrate.
Three of the nearly 40 projectiles did, in fact, hit their marks. Winners whooped, cheered, hugged, and jumped up and down. They claimed prizes for free dress and juices of choice.
One duo hit the jackpot: teacher Wendy Reed. Wearing a lacrosse helmet, Mrs. Reed planted herself on a collapsible chair right in the line of fire. The prize for any team whose gourd hit her was a much-desired gift certificate.
When all the gourds had been launched, the children launched themselves, running down the hill as fast as they could.
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Pumpkins and a homemade slingshot made a great physics lesson and problem-solving challenge, fourth graders discovered last week.
The annual Punkin Chunkin on November 1 gave students an opportunity to launch small gourds at fake tombstones positioned at the base of Chapel Hill. Each tombstone contained a prize. If their gourd hit one, they won the prize inside.
Each two-person team got one shot. They had to figure out how to position their projectiles in the makeshift slingshot (plastic funnel with tubing attached) and when to release them. Teachers George Webb and Craig Whiteford provided the force. They walked forward to stretch the tubing until each student pair let go.
After each release, hopes soared along with the apple-size gourds that one would hit a target. If there were any doubts, teacher Patrice Preston stood at the bottom of the hill to arbitrate.
Three of the nearly 40 projectiles did, in fact, hit their marks. Winners whooped, cheered, hugged, and jumped up and down. They claimed prizes for free dress and juices of choice.
One duo hit the jackpot: teacher Wendy Reed. Wearing a lacrosse helmet, Mrs. Reed planted herself on a collapsible chair right in the line of fire. The prize for any team whose gourd hit her was a much-desired gift certificate.
When all the gourds had been launched, the children launched themselves, running down the hill as fast as they could.