Marin Horizon is famous for its rich and exciting curriculum, but perhaps the most famous is the Pumpkin Launch catapult project. The project is a one- to two-month-long project that puts students’ problem solving and engineering skills to the test. Students must work with power tools, each other, and the forces of physics. Science teacher Mo Poxon chooses to do this project every other year because she “absolutely believes that kids learn science by doing science.” She says that the best way to teach “dry concepts” (concepts students find boring) is to have students experience it themselves.
Getting Started: Choosing a Catapult Design
Each group started their projects with a simple task: choosing what catapult variation to build. Because the famous pumpkin launch winners of 2022 used the ancient and advanced technique of a trebuchet catapult, most students decided that they would win if they built one, too. A couple of groups adopted the design of an Ancient Greek ballista, and some chose to go with the trusty basic catapult design.
Building a trebuchet is hard, it takes not only impressive construction but an excellent understanding of forces and how counterweight works. A student says, “That's why my group decided to go with a basic catapult. Pretty much everyone is using a trebuchet, and they probably will fail. I mean, Tenzing had been planning his catapult for a year, and even then it wasn’t very reliable. If we use a regular catapult and get even a mediocre score we will win by a lot.”
Construction
After these very important decisions were made, it was time to begin construction. Teacher Maureen Poxon (Mo) led students through a very thorough safety lesson, then instructed each group on how to construct a palette and add supports. Then they attached a launch arm and used bungee cords to create tension. After that, the creative leg of the project began, launching a fake pumpkin, and engineering projects from there. For almost a month students were tweaking and building onto their projects, making them the best they possibly could be for the final moment, the Pumpkin Launch.
The Day Of The Launch
This was held on the turf at Marin Horizon School, which is about 27 meters long. To make 100% on their project, the pumpkin had to be launched at least 10 meters. To live up to the 2022 winner’s legacy, they had to launch it into the creek behind the parking lot. It was expected that the launch day would be dry, but as the launch approached closer and closer, it was clear that it was going to rain. However, this was a rain or shine event, and the pumpkins would be launched either way. The day started out with a brief sprinkle, giving hope to observers and contestants that they wouldn’t get drenched. No such luck was apparent; the rain soon turned fast and vast.
The event was split up into two rounds, with a half time in between. The launching line-up was decided weeks in advance, and each group was given three chances to reach their goal. The presentations started off with a literal bang; the first group’s catapult broke. They had to fix it in one round. Many groups had pleasantly strong results in this round, most reaching above 10 meters and even beyond 30 meters. Round two was full of surprises. The winners were apparent, a group who originally had a trebuchet design, but switched a week before the launch, seeing that the other students that were doing well had a normal catapult. They didn’t do too well during the trials; it seemed it would have been a miracle if they would even get 10 meters. But alas, fate stepped in and they won with an astonishing 67.6 meters. They even met the record of the winners of 2022.
Not Just a Project; Unexpected Social Connections
This incredible project does not only help students learn about forces and catapults, but each other. As Mia, an eighth grade student, said, “My favorite part is being with different people and seeing what type of person they are…learn[ing] about classmates and their skills.” Each team was a mix of seventh and eighth graders, who each had different skill sets. You might find a theater kid suddenly becoming friends with a more athletic student, or a quiet seventh grader excitedly talking about forces with an extroverted eighth grader. “I’m suddenly super close with my team. Even after the project we text all the time and talk at school.” Another student says, “I didn’t only learn about forces from this project, but also how to become friends with people you’ve never really known before. I’m super grateful for the experience that this project has given me.”
