NATICK, Mass. — The Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center hosted 66 students in grades 2 through 12 for an inaugural hands-on educational STEM challenge on Nov. 5, 2024.
The Pumpkin Airdrop STEM challenge consisted of 23 teams from local schools, who were tasked with designing and building parachute systems to safely drop pumpkins from a height of approximately 70 feet. Each team received a standardized kit two weeks in advance, containing materials such as cardboard, paper honeycomb, paracord, and duct tape. Parameters required the pumpkins to weigh no more than 10 pounds, with canopy-rigged systems limited to a maximum length of 9 feet.
Each of the team’s airdrop systems were released from a 70-foot boom, where their ingenuity was tested against gravity. Teams were judged on their ability to protect their pumpkins from damage. All participants received custom 3D-printed “pumpkin rigger wings,” created by Soldier Center, and trophies were awarded to the top three teams in each age group.
“This competition was designed to give students a practical STEM challenge while honoring the Soldier Center’s legacy of developing airdrop resupply technologies,” said Brady Loomer, STEM lead coordinator at DEVCOM Soldier Center.
“STEM challenges like this, where students can make mistakes and learn from them, are invaluable for sparking interest in STEM and helping them see themselves as real engineers solving real problems,” Loomer added.
Private Trenton Alston, a combat medic and human research volunteer at the Natick Soldier Systems Center, expressed excitement about supporting the students and witnessing their innovation.
“It was a great day,” Alston said. “I got to see all the creative ideas the participants came up with to drop their pumpkins safely. They knew the science behind it and applied it to their projects.”
The event also drew strong community support. “It was wonderful to see members of the NSSC community cheering on the teams, even if they didn’t know any of the kids,” Loomer said. “That kind of encouragement is vital for building confidence and creating positive memories tied to STEM.”
The Pumpkin Airdrop STEM Challenge highlighted student creativity and reinforced the Natick Soldier Systems Center’s commitment to education and innovation. Organizers are planning to make it an annual event to inspire the next generation of engineers and problem-solvers.
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