Pumpkin Physics in Action

The annual pumpkin races in sixth-grade science get everyone cheering for their classmates. Students take what they learn in physics about force, motion, and gravity and apply it to building a vehicle using a pumpkin and even other ghourds as its “frame.” The goal is to see how far their vehicle will travel.

Some pumpkins speed ahead in perfect balance, while others wobble or tip over before reaching their mark. By the end of the day, students gain more than just a winning pumpkin—they’ve experienced real-world problem-solving, teamwork, and the fun of seeing physics come alive as seen in these photos.