West Geauga High School students recently participated in the annual Pumpkin Chunkin’ event held in Willoughby.
WGHS Pumpkin Chunkin’
West Geauga High School students recently participated in the annual Pumpkin Chunkin’ event held in Willoughby. Students from the AP Physics I class joined the project as well as students from other science classes.
Students met during advisory periods and after school to design two different types of trebuchets. In preparation for the competition, the team created their own design and learned basic carpentry skills.
The team placed second out of 15 teams and launched pumpkins 45 and 65 feet on trebuchet one and two, respectively.
Alan Duncan, high school science teacher and one of the advisors for the project, said, “Moving forward I plan to use these trebuchets in AP Physics 1 when discussing energy and rotational motion. I will also be revisiting projectile motion as well as a review for their end of the year exam. It is always nice for the students to see physics in the real world and see real world applications as well.”
Fire Safety Training at Lindsey
The Chester Township Fire Department visits the West Geauga Schools each year to teach students about fire safety. In addition to reading and talking about safety in classes, the students go outside to explore a fire truck and an ambulance.
West Geauga graduate and Chester Township firefighter Kyle Kerr spent time with first-graders from Mrs. Howell’s class teaching the students about the different emergency tools stored in a fire truck.
Fire Chief John Wargelin said, “It is important to teach our children about fire emergencies. Most fatal fires occur at night so it is especially important that the children know what to do.”
After a visit by the fire department, parents report that their children remind them about the importance of working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and an escape plan that includes a reunification point outside of the house.
Said Wargelin, “I personally have been to house fires where the children have told me they remembered what we taught them in school and it helped them to get out safely.”
Exploring Math With Pumpkins
Patterson Fruit Farm’s donation of pumpkins to Lindsey Elementary School provided an educational fun experience for students.
Second-graders used the pumpkins to explore concepts in math by practicing their measuring and estimating skills in a tangible way.
During the pumpkin math activities, parents joined their students to help with the carving and learning.
