FORT BENNING, Ga., (Nov. 26, 2014) -- Stowers Elementary School students learned a catapult is more than just a historical warfare weapon - it's also an effective way to launch Halloween pumpkins.
The school partnered with members of the Fort Benning Chapter of the Society of American Military Engineers to apply science, technology, engineering and math lessons with concepts of trajectory and force to design and build a wooden catapult for their first pumpkin chunkin' event Nov. 17-21.
SAME volunteers introduced fourth- and fifth-graders to engineering career paths. The volunteers are employees of Fort Benning's Directorate of Public Works, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Columbus Water Works and Trane, Inc.
STEM teacher Jenna Moore said the project gave students a hands-on approach to learn measurements, simple machines and physics and how they apply to real-world experiences.
"We learned engineers don't always get the answer right the first time," she said. "They really have to put their heads together, collaborate and problem-solve to find the best solution. It was a great learning experience for all of us."
Fifth-grade teacher Tisha Connelly said students prepared for the catapult construction by building replicas using Popsicle sticks and robotics. Teamwork and communications were essential in the design process. However, the project wasn't completed without a few mistakes along the way.
"We learned that we had to pay close attention to the directions," fifth-grader Crystal Moore said. "If you don't build it right, it won't launch as good."
Fourth- and fifth-grade students assisted the engineers in measuring and constructing the catapult throughout the week. Don Mills, Army Corps of Engineers construction representative, said the team had to modify the catapult and test various materials before the catapult finally launched the pumpkins as far as 30 feet away.
"We tried it out a few times and found that the pumpkins weren't launching far enough, so we had to use stronger bungee cords," he said. "I think it was good that it wasn't perfect because they saw engineers make mistakes and how they work together to correct them. This is the groundwork for building skills they will use later in life."
On the last day of the project, all students from Stowers were invited to participate in launching the pumpkins and measuring the distance they traveled. Mills said he hopes the school will continue the event every year.
"I think every student left with something," he said. "I think this project helped to build their confidence and not be afraid to try something new."
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