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EYEWITNESS LOCAL NEWS
SMASHING PUMPKINSfrom Eyewitness News Online The Capital City Pumpkin Drop Merges Science And Fun Reported by:  Ashley SmithVideographer: Matt Durrett Web Producer: Ashley Smith Reported: Oct. 18, 2012 6:00 PM EDT Updated: Oct. 18, 2012 6:21 PM EDT
Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
Students from 11 different counties and 32 schools across West Virginia gathered at Appalachian Power Park to smash pumpkins. The 14th annual Capital City Pumpkin Drop allowed students in grades four through 12 to create a container using math, physics and creativity to keep the pumpkin from breaking after falling 60 feet. Bridgemont Community and Technical College hosted the event and organizers say they hope even at a young age kids will be interested in science, technology, engineering, and math or STEM. Melissa Thompson is an associate professor at Bridgemont Community and Technical College. "It's important for kids in West Virginia to realize there are opportunities in West Virginia in engineering and technology," said Associate Professor and Event Coordinator Melissa Thompson, "Math can be fun and cool and engineering and technology and there are a lot of good jobs if you choose that track." Colton Sullivan and Tyler Pettry from Sherman Middle School watched as their pumpkin broke after hitting the drop zone. They used quite a variety of supplies to protect their gourd. "Ballistics gel, bubble wrap, duct tape, the paint stirrers and a parachute," said Colton Sullivan. "It gives you the opportunity to learn something new," said Tyler Pettry. "It's more than just stuffing a box and hoping your pumpkin survives," said Thompson, "these kids really take it seriously and they've worked really hard." Some students are already thinking about next year. "I would have stuffed it in a box full of pillows and had a parachute on top to see if it worked," said Sullivan. Through learning about math, science, technology, and engineering the kids still managed to have a good time. Here are the winners of the contest: GRAND SLAM PUMPKIN - South Charleston Middle School 1st place High School - Huntington High 2nd and 3rd High School - not awarded, no winners 1st place Middle School - TIE - East Fairmont Jr High and Stonewall Jackson Middle School 2nd and 3rd Middle School - not awarded, no winners 1st place Elementary - Alban Elementary 2nd place Elementary - West Chapmanville Grade School 3rd place Elementary - Sherman Elementary 1st place Poster Design - Sherman Elementary, Johnny Crash 2nd place Poster Design - Kanawha Valley Home Schoolers - Wicked 3rd place Poster Design - Sherman Jr High team #2 Most Creative Design - Riverside High School Most Sustainable Design - Stonewall Jackson Middle Students were awarded cash prizes totaling $1200. MORE NEWS FROM EYEWITNESS NEWS
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