Punkin’ Chunkin’ 2025 at Cahoon Park!

Who knew STEM could be so much fun?! That was the question Bay Middle School sixth graders answered at the Seventh Annual Punkin Chunkin on Thursday, October 9.

Teams of students created handcrafted trebuchets, catapults and sling shots and brought this fun and educational event to life at Cahoon Park. The teams dress is costumes and awards are given for Furthest Distance in all four categories (Trebuchet, Catapult, Slingshots and Human Toss), Most Decorative Device, Most Team Spirit and Accuracy – Prizes given to anyone hitting any of the random targets set-up in the field.

6th Grade Science Teacher, Mr. Brent Illenberger, became interested in putting this event together when he first witnessed it on the Discovery Channel nearly a decade ago. During this time. “I was amazed to see thousands of spectators and participants flock to Delaware to watch whose homemade contraption could propel a pumpkin the furthest distance using air cannons, catapults, trebuchets, torsion and many other devices. After that day, I’ve always dreamed about creating a similar event for the students of Bay Middle School. Well, seven years ago, it finally became a reality. Not knowing what to expect during the very first year (2018), I was amazed at the success, excitement and enthusiasm the students and parents had for the event. Since then, the word has quickly spread about the event throughout the community, attracting more student participation and spectators each year.”

The purpose of the event was to create an amazing memory with friends and family and to inspire students to get enthusiastic about STEM-related careers by applying the engineering design process.

What’s Mr. Brent Illenberger’s favorite part of running this event?

“First of all, it doesn’t get any better than watching a bright orange pumpkin fly through the air as far as possible and splattering to smithereens with the crowd reacting with plenty of oohs and aahs. It’s also definitely rewarding and amazing to see the variety of devices created, and watching the students working together as a team. The excitement is contagious and hopefully this event will fuel these students to take an interest in a STEM-related career later in life.”

Photos courtesy Bay Schools