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MEDIA CONTACT: Nathan Drahms nd002m@mail.rochester.edu or Jonathan Sherwood 585.273.4726
October 28, 2004
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers at the University of Rochester will be sponsoring its third annual pumpkin launching competition at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 29, on the Wilson Commons quad on the University of Rochester's River Campus.
Engineering students and faculty will create a diverse array of machines built to pitch the pumpkins as far as possible. The team with the contraption that throws a pumpkin the greatest distance while sustaining accuracy will win. Each team must adhere to a list of rules that includes using pumpkins weighing between two and five pounds. To clarify the official landing point of a pumpkin will likely be in pieces, each will be hollowed out and contain a bag of Skittles candy that remains inside during flight. The final position of the Skittles at the end of the launch will determine distance. Last year, competitors fired pumpkins anywhere from minus 25 feet to 200 feet.
There will be three prize categories: maximum airborne range, most accurate shot, and best-looking launcher.
The event promotes engineering as an exciting field and encourages education and teamwork in and outside of the classroom.
The University of Rochester (www.rochester.edu) is one of the nation's leading private universities. Located in Rochester, N.Y., the University gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty through its unique cluster-based curriculum. Its College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering is complemented by the Eastman School of Music, Simon School of Business, Warner School of Education, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, and the Memorial Art Gallery.
PR 1926, MS 363