MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) - Hundreds of students made the 11-story ascent to the top of the West Virginia University Engineering Sciences Building on Friday to drop pumpkins at a target for a chance at a $100 prize.
The State Journal reports 355 teams participated in the 31st annual Pumpkin Drop.
The young engineers could use cushioning, parachutes, or a combination, to deliver their pumpkins safely to the ground. A team from East Fairmont High School used both.
“We decided to incorporate a parachute this time, which we didn’t do last year,” Claudia LaFollette said. “It struck the building last year. Although it hit the target, the pumpkin was about as flat as a pancake. I have fun just going up to the top of the building.”
But parachutes can also blow the pumpkins off course. One parachuted container got entangled on a nearby flag pole far enough from the target for disqualification.
A team from Morgantown’s Mountaineer Middle School used a large stuffed bear to provide padding for its pumpkin.
Aiden Arnett said of the design, “I was just thinking, ’Do we want to do the same boring container we’ve done before or come up with something original?’”
Johnny Karakiozis, a student at St. Mary’s Grade School in Clarksburg, said he included plastic swimming pool noodles and a layer of tennis balls into his design.
The winning team from South Middle School in Morgantown landed its pumpkin one foot from the target to earn the $100 first prize.
Scott Wayne is an associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering who helped organize the event. He said students have gotten smarter about their designs over the years, and they could change the rules next year to make the Pumpkin Drop more challenging.
“We’re going to have to get them thinking harder again,” he said.
Proceeds from the event were donated to the Ronald McDonald House in Morgantown. Since 2011, the Pumpkin Drop has raised more than $37,000.
___
Information from: The State Journal, http://www.statejournal.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.