Bethel Park elementary school students launch 'pumpkins' to learn science

Students and even adults have been figuring out ways to launch pumpkins since about the time trick-or-treating became an integral part of the Halloween scene in the late 1930s and early 40s.

No doubt inspired by past flying pumpkin feats, on Oct. 26, students at Ben Franklin Elementary School in Bethel Park, held their fifth annual “Pumpkin Chuckin’” contest.

Only instead of launching actual pumpkins, these fourth graders used Brach’s candy pumpkins, which are considerably smaller.

As part of a STEAM lesson, 9 and 10-year-old students from three fourth-grade classes designed catapults and other creative contraptions to see which design launched a candy pumpkin the farthest.

Students were required to use recycled or repurposed items to create a pumpkin launcher. They were permitted to use markers or paint and whatever they felt was needed to decorate it.

They were allowed to collaborate with family members at home.

“It’s a nice way to get the families involved so that they can collaborate together,” said fourth grade teacher Jennifer Gallaher. “They can work with grandparents, parents, they can work with siblings.”

Some of the launchers were as simple as a bunch of Popsicle sticks taped together. Other students built launchers out of upside down chairs and milk crates to send the tiny candies soaring.

The teachers measured the farthest distances and the top three finishers received gift cards. Another award for best design was handed out, too. In all, some 30 students participated.

And what did the students learn from this?

“They learn scientific method. They come up with an idea, test it out, make adjustments, test it again and it’s trial and error — figuring out what works best,” said learning support teacher Martin O’Connor.

Fourth grader Kayla Paull, 9, Bethel Park, made a pumpkin launcher out of painted wood and paint and a nail gun. She took second place.

“It turned out great because (the pumpkin) went far,” Kayla said. “I actually did think it was going to work. The biggest problem was being tempted to eat the candy instead of launching it.”

Third place finisher Lizzy Breier, 10, Bethel Park, made her launcher out of a milk carton and a pandemic mask.

“It was interesting to see how far it went,” she said. “I’d like to try it with a real pumpkin.”

In the end, the girls dominated the STEAM challenge. Cori Willets, 10, Bethel Park, finished first with a launch of 162 feet.

“They had to research what a launcher could be” Gallaher said. “… It’s just a lot of scientific knowledge they need to research.”