Friday, October 23, 2009

Technology dept.- Pumpk'n Chunk'n Trebuchet

Good Day Everyone,

We just wanted to extend a thank you for everyone’s support on last Friday’s Pumpk’n Chunk’n Event. The response from students, staff, and administration alike were inspiring to the event. It was nice to see so many familiar faces in the media via Newsday, News12, Fios1, TV55 and our own district newsletter (Thanks to Jen Finn). Together the entire staff of Gelinas created an event that students will remember for years to come and solidified our rank in their educational experience.

The record toss of a 4lb pumpkin over 221 feet was either set by Mr. Hueber or our Superintendent Mr. Webster (whom ever buys us lunch first). Now that's honey turkey, on a wrap; just kidding. In all seriousness Mr. Hueber and Mr. Santana deserve a direct thank you for not only allowing us to hold the event, but also for allocating the funding to construct the trebuchet. Maybe next year we’ll even let Mr. Mutter fire the trebuchet again.

While we had plenty of fun with this oversized visual aid, it helped students to understand:
Trajectory
Apogee
Range
1st 2nd and 3rd Class Levers
Counterweight
Centrifugal Force
Potential and Kinetic Energy

Thank you all for taking classroom time out of your day and wagering your cars in the parking lot.

Sincerely,
The Gelinas Technology Department

Available Library Resources:

- The Art of the Catapult: build Greek Ballistae, Roman onagers, English trebuchets, and more ancient artillery by William Gurstelle.

-Levers, Wheels and Pulleys by John Farndon

- Levers by David Glover