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Pumpkins Take Flight

Kennesaw State students showcase engineering skills in annual competition

By Kennesaw State University

October 21^st, 2024

Beneath clear blue skies on Kennesaw State University’s Marietta Soccer Field, a gathering of second-year mechanical engineering students reveled in their engineering skills as they participated in the 14th annual Pumpkin Launch.

The tradition, which traces its roots back to the former Southern Polytechnic State University, serves as an opportunity for students in the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SPCEET) to test their wits and apply their studies toward a group project. The task: Build a device capable of launching a 10-pound pumpkin as far as possible using hand-built trebuchets, catapults, and other gravity-powered devices.

The event serves as the culmination of a semester-long project in which students design their launchers, undergo rigorous safety presentations, and test their devices under the watchful eye of SPCEET faculty.

"It's been stressful but so much fun,” said Andrew Fasano, whose team finished third. “Building the trebuchets with my friends and combining our ideas has been a great experience. I'm really happy to be part of the Pumpkin Launch."

As the competition unfolded, judges keenly observed each team's engineering designs and inventiveness. Teams collaborated closely, exchanging tips and ideas to maximize the distance their trebuchets could achieve. Laughter and cheers filled the air as teammates celebrated each launch, sharing in both successes and setbacks. They encouraged one another, creating a spirited atmosphere where friendly rivalries blossomed. Each launch became a moment of camaraderie, reminding everyone that the experience was just as important as the competition itself.

"Events like Pumpkin Launch are fundamental to enhancing the student experience at Kennesaw State," SPCEET Dean Lawrence Whitman said. "Not only do they serve as great community-building opportunities, they provide an outlet for our students to apply what they've learned toward something tangible, and carry those skills into the workforce. Engineers do more than create fun contraptions; they contribute to making the world a better place.”

In the end, Pumpkin Space Program swept the podium by finishing first in all categories and overall with a successful launch of 270 feet. Reflecting on their victory, team captain Luke Davie shared his gratitude.

"It feels amazing,” he said. “When we started, we didn't know how well we'd do. As we tested, we began to excel, and decided to max out our trebuchet’s weight. Everyone on the team put in a lot of work, and I'm thrilled it all came together."

The following teams were awarded for their performance:

First Place, Distance & Accuracy Award, Design Efficiency Award – Pumpkin Space Program

Luke Davie

Samuel Quinn

Diego Uribe

Evan Weaver

Bryson Long

Gaven Brewster

Paul Waruszewski

Kevin Lee

Second Place – S.S. Gourd Force

Porter Brown

Alejandro Perez

Omari Smith

Josh Powell

Matthew McMahon

Conner Vorpahl

Curtis Ledford

Richard Tillou

Third Place – Salmans Pumpkins

Mahdi Zeerak

Andrew Fasano

Usmaan Attique

Debo Ajibade

Kaleb Thomas

Angel Mendoza

Trinity Hunt

Creativity Award – Hollow Heads

Ashley Echols

Brayden Turso

Wesley Hathcox

Daniel Fraire

Ismael Contreras

Michael Hardy

Nick Thaxton

Matthew Seigler

Footnotes

Story by Raynard Churchwell | Videos by Matthew O'Neill | Photos by Judith Pishnery, Matt Yung, and Darnell Wilburn | Page design by Raynard Churchwell and Matthew O'Neill

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FootNotes

Story by Raynard Churchwell | Videos by Matthew O'Neill | Photos by Judith Pishnery, Matt Yung, and Darnell Wilburn | Page design by Raynard Churchwell and Matthew O'Neill