On a day that saw 75 pumpkins survive the 11-story drop from atop West Virginia University’s Engineering Sciences Building, it was team no. 275 from Wheeling Catholic Central High School that took top honors in the 28th Annual Pumpkin Drop. Their pumpkin landed just three-foot, seven-inches from the target, earning them the $100 first prize.

Second place was claimed by team 332 from Triadelphia Area Rapid Descent Impact Solutions. Their pumpkin—”Slute to Webster Springs”—landed four-foot, two-inches from the target, earning them the $50 runner-up check.

Team 224 from South Middle School in Morgantown finished third, with their pumpkin landing four-foot, three-inches from the target. The team was awarded $25.

The competition, which aims to teach engineering concepts by designing an enclosure to protect the pumpkin from damage when dropped from the roof of the building, saw teams from West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

The event was sponsored by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers chapter at WVU. Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Morgantown.

-WVU-

mcd/10/23/15

CONTACT: Mary C. Dillon, Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
304.293.4086, Mary.Dillon@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.