Conceptual Physics classes tackled scientific concepts in a fun way with the pumpkin drop. Students in Mr.Hall and Mr. MacDonald’s classes were tasked with ensuring the safety of a pumpkin dropped from a height of 5.8 meters.

“The pumpkin drop was a fun way to learn and interact hands on with science.” said Faith Robertson (10).

The rules of the drop restricted the students from using styrofoam, mud/dirt, dry ice or explosive devices. Anything else, within reason, was fair game. Total weight of the contraption plus the pumpkin together could not exceed more than 50 pounds.

Students were graded by the state of the pumpkin after the drop.Those that looked “ready for carving” received 30 points, those that were “ready for pie” received 25 points, and those with a pumpkin that looked “ready for stew” received 20 points. Extra credit points were also given for creativity.

“Although textbooks provide useful information, memorizing facts from a book isn’t an accurate gauge of intelligence; the true barometer of intelligence is creativity and imagination,” said Macdonald.

The teachers hoped that this project would help the students master the concepts of free fall time, final velocity, momentum, potential energy, and kinetic energy.

“These projects give students an opportunity to take what they have learned from the textbook and stretch and reform that information into knowledge that will hopefully stick with them long after they leave high school” said Macdonald.
Thanks to Manuel Avila, we have video clips showing some of these interesting projects.