Have you ever heard of the event called Punkin’ Chunkin’? It is an event where people load the big orange pumpkin into various launching devices and see how far their launching device can throw the pumpkin. Ok, now that you know what it is, did you know that it is both science and history?
I know, you are looking at me strangely about this point. How can that be, you might ask. Well, there is the science of physics that studies the mechanics of flight, trajectory, mass, velocity. How far will my pumpkin fly, if “x” amount of force is applied to it? How fast will it make the trip from point A to point B? What is the optimum size for my big orange gourd?
And this event also is a study in history. Most of the contestants use catapults, trebuchets, and cannons to chunk their pumpkins. The catapult and the trebuchet are medieval siege weapons used to hurl stones or flaming balls of “stuff“ at castle walls.. Cannons are also historical weapons used to punch holes in things.
For modern students seeing these ancient weapons in use can engage them in the study of history and science. Who knew how much fun it could be to study medieval siege weapons, mass, velocity, and the agricultural product known as a pumpkin? Ain’t it great?!
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