Trebuchet

October is a time for pumpkins. For a small population of dedicated enthusiasts, it is also the season for Punkin’ Chunkin’, the hurling of pumpkins across vast distances by a variety of contraptions, including Medieval-style trebuchets. The goal, of course, is to send your pumpkin flying as far as possible.

Students can gear up for chucking their pumpkins with the Trebuchet Gizmo. In the Gizmo, students can independently adjust seven variables of trebuchet design to build an ideal machine for a situation. Two real-life historical scenarios are included, as well as a free-form distance contest. In addition to teaching Medieval technology, the Gizmo provides a great introduction to the engineering process, including defining the problem, specifying requirements, building prototypes, testing, and making changes.

The current Punkin Chunkin trebuchet record is 3,377 feet, or 1,029 meters. What is the greatest distance you can hurl the payload in the Trebuchet Gizmo?