London Students Build Ambitious Trebuchet for Pumpkin Launch

Two seventh-grade students from Wortley Road Public School in London, Ontario, have taken their annual school project to new heights by constructing a large trebuchet designed to launch pumpkins. The ambitious project, led by Casper Desparois and Connor Schwartz, aims to break previous records for both size and distance achieved during the school’s traditional pumpkin-smashing event.

The boys were inspired by older students who had built catapults in previous years. Eager to leave their mark, they approached Connor’s father, Dave Schwartz, for guidance. “Connor came home and said, ‘Hey, let’s build a catapult!’ And I smiled, and we started,” Dave recalled, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the project.

Over the course of three weeks, the trio diligently constructed their custom pumpkin-launching device, utilizing a design created by the boys themselves. To enhance mobility, they mounted the trebuchet on a garden trailer, allowing it to be easily transported. This hands-on project has provided valuable lessons in physics and geometry. “We’re kind of learning about getting hands-on and geometry, weight physics, and all this other stuff,” Casper noted.

The excitement was palpable as they prepared to launch a ten-pound pumpkin, which they expected to soar hundreds of feet into the air. Dave added, “It’s pretty exciting when you’re launching a 10-pound pumpkin hundreds of feet.”

Despite their preparations, the initial launch of the day did not go as planned. A snapped winch cable caused the pumpkin to launch sideways, leaving the team momentarily disappointed. “I mean, things don’t work out,” Dave said. “It’s trial and error.” The boys remain optimistic, with a chance to regroup before their big competition scheduled for Thursday, October 5, 2023.

“We’re coming back. We’ve got a lot more pumpkins to launch and smash,” Dave expressed, encouraging the boys. Their confidence in achieving success remains high as they gear up for the competition.

In the spirit of friendly competition, Casper finds comfort in knowing that all participants in the food competition will receive consolation prizes. “My favourite pie is pumpkin,” he said, contemplating the potential culinary uses for any leftover pumpkins.

As the boys prepare for the upcoming event, their project has not only demonstrated creativity and engineering skills but also fostered teamwork and problem-solving abilities. The outcome on Thursday will undoubtedly be a testament to their hard work and determination.