Twenty-two Roxbury High School students are participating in a course focusing on physics and technology entitled, The Trebuchet Project. This project under the instruction of Mr. Steve Shuttlesworth and Mr. Robert Balcerski, both teachers at Roxbury High School, involves three phases, each lasting several weeks.
During Phase 1 of this project, students researched and designed a trebuchet (a catapult). Next the students built a prototype model and tested it with a golf ball. Finally, the students built a full size trebuchet and tested it with a pumpkin.
On October 30, 2003, the instructors and students conducted trebuchet demonstrations. According to Mr. Shuttlesworth, “Students prepared for the demonstration for over two weeks. They prepared speeches, posters, and custom designed sweatshirts.”
During this demonstration day, the physics and technology class demonstrated their projects to the rest of the Roxbury High School Science classes. These outdoor demonstrations were very successful, launching a pumpkin over 300 feet. “The project was a success. Students were very involved and excited with the finished models,” commented Mr. Shuttlesworth.
The weekend following these demonstrations, Mr. Balcerski and Mr. Shuttlesworth attended the World Championship Pumpkin Chucking Contest in Long Neck, Delaware.
According to Mr. Shuttlesworth, “This event showcased the best pumpkin throwing devices in the world. Contestants came from all over the United States, as well as other countries to compete.”
He went on to comment, “The main reason for our interest in this event was to bring home some of the creative ideas to improve our own Trebuchets for next year. The knowledge we gained at the championships will help us direct our students toward even better results in the future.”
Mr. Balcerski added, “This year’s program helped us to generate much interest in the course for next year, as well as pride for this year’s participants.”