Careers and subjects surrounding STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) are in high necessity and it is important for the youth of today to be exposed to these subjects early to develop interest. The Pumpkin Sling contest allows participants to use STEM knowledge in a fun and competitive way. By building catapults to fling pumpkins, participants will be using a variety of physics and mathematics including: linear kinematics, projectile motion, trigonometry, and engineering physics. To reach maximum distance, participants will have to calculate the degree at which their catapult will fire.
Participants will encounter specific problems with their catapult. The pumpkin may reach maximum height without any distance or be fired into the ground. By troubleshooting and calculating, they will find the perfect median between range and height to make their pumpkin go the furthest distance. Along the way they will learn to construct their catapults to their own design involving the important quality of an engineer: designing and drafting. The pumpkin sling contest allows participants to use STEM in an interesting way in order to get people involved in the STEM subjects and careers.
Or more simply put, "Where Brain Meets Brawn"
Sample Curriculum
This curriculum was written and shared by Sean Mc Geough, Engineering Academy Instructor at Warren County Technical High School. Mr. Mc Geough and his class in 2011 was the very first team to sign up for the first "Last Fling Pumpkin Sling."
The sample curriculum:
Unit 1: Safety
Objective: Students will be able identify safety procedures and issues and apply them within manufacturing processes.
· Exhibit knowledge of appropriate personal safety procedures
· Describe the role of OSHA in the technical workplace
· Describe and use safety equipment
· Describe the function of safety devices
· Discuss and evaluate weekly meetings concerning various safety concerns
Unit 2: Design Systems – Mechanical
Objective: Students will be able to describe various mechanical systems and predict mechanical advantages within an engineering project
· Identify components of various mechanisms and machines
· Illustrate members and motion of kinematics diagrams
· Identify the six simple machines and their applications
· Solve problems using appropriate units in engineering systems
Unit 5: Design Systems – Structural
Objective: Students will be able to detect components of a structural system and design an engineering project
· Categorize system failures and safety factors of various technological structures
· Examine external and internal loads, equilibrium, stress/strain, and common forces on structures
· Distinguish various structural components
· Perform simple testing and use mathematics to calculate various loads on structures
Unit 9: Materials
Objective: Students will be able to identify, select and classify appropriate materials for a designated project
· Identify common materials
· Compare and contrast physical properties of materials
· Select correct materials for specific functions
· Test materials for specific characteristics
Unit 10: Testing and Evaluating
Objective: Students will be able to develop, present and evaluate appropriate testing for a designated project
· Assess effectiveness of a solution in terms of design brief and specifications
· Apply indirect tests for certain aspects of a solution
· Present test results covering evaluation of design work and design skills associated with designed project
Unit 1: Safety
· 8.1.12.A.2 Produce and edit a multi-page document for a commercial or professional audience using desktop publishing and/or graphics software
· 9.4.12.O.38 Demonstrate knowledge of personal and jobsite safety rules and regulations to maintain safe and healthful working conditions and environments
· 9.4.12.O.40 Identify emergency procedures that are necessary to provide aid in workplace accidents
· 9.4.12.O.44 Apply appropriate safety practices in environments in this cluster to ensure a safe workplace
Unit 2: Design Systems – Mechanical
· 3.1.12 F.3 Apply reading vocabulary in different content areas.
· 3.1.12 G.1 Identify, describe, evaluate, and synthesize the central ideas in informational texts.
· 4.5.12 A.1 Learn mathematics through problem solving, inquiry, and discovery.
· 4.5.12 A.2 Solve problems that arise in mathematics and in other contexts
· 4.5.12 C.4 Apply mathematics in practical situations and in other disciplines.
· 5.1.12.A.2 Develop and use mathematical, physical, and computational tools to build evidence-based models and to pose theories
· 5.1.12.B.2 Build, refine, and represent evidence-based models using mathematical, physical, and computational tools
Unit 5: Design Systems – Structural
· 3.1.12 F.3 Apply reading vocabulary in different content areas.
· 3.1.12 G.1 Identify, describe, evaluate, and synthesize the central ideas in informational texts.
· 4.5.12 A.1 Learn mathematics through problem solving, inquiry, and discovery.
· 4.5.12 A.2 Solve problems that arise in mathematics and in other contexts
· 4.5.12 C.4 Apply mathematics in practical situations and in other disciplines.
· 5.1.12.A.2 Develop and use mathematical, physical, and computational tools to build evidence-based models and to pose theories
· 5.1.12.B.2 Build, refine, and represent evidence-based models using mathematical, physical, and computational tools
Unit 9: Materials
· 3.1.12 F.3 Apply reading vocabulary in different content areas.
· 3.1.12 G.1 Identify, describe, evaluate, and synthesize the central ideas in informational texts.
· 4.5.12 A.1 Learn mathematics through problem solving, inquiry, and discovery.
· 4.5.12 A.2 Solve problems that arise in mathematics and in other contexts
· 4.5.12 C.4 Apply mathematics in practical situations and in other disciplines.
· 5.1.12.A.2 Develop and use mathematical, physical, and computational tools to build evidence-based models and to pose theories
· 5.1.12.B.2 Build, refine, and represent evidence-based models using mathematical, physical, and computational tools
Unit 10: Testing and Evaluating
· 3.1.12 F.3 Apply reading vocabulary in different content areas.
· 3.1.12 G.1 Identify, describe, evaluate, and synthesize the central ideas in informational texts.
· 4.5.12 A.1 Learn mathematics through problem solving, inquiry, and discovery.
· 4.5.12 A.2 Solve problems that arise in mathematics and in other contexts
· 4.5.12 C.4 Apply mathematics in practical situations and in other disciplines.
· 5.1.12.A.2 Develop and use mathematical, physical, and computational tools to build evidence-based models and to pose theories
· 5.1.12.B.2 Build, refine, and represent evidence-based models using mathematical, physical, and computational tools
Sean Mc Geough
Engineering Academy Instructor
SkillsUSA Advisor
Warren County Technical High School