On Thursday, Nov 7th, 175 Alpine Union 4th graders assembled at the Shadow Hills Elementary School sports fields for Punkin' Chunkin' following captivating classroom instruction on the history, math and physics of the trebuchet - the Medieval siege engine.

Students built 18 trebuchets each from 6' tall to 12' tall.  They practiced teamwork while learning wood handling, hardware and the use of hand tools – for the assembly of 100 different parts.  After lunch, the students put their knowledge and handiwork to the test by launching "missiles" downfield, including base balls.  It was a contest of effort, distance, and accuracy.

Punkin' Chunkin' is an AEF collaboration in partnership with Intellicept (makers of Skatestoppers), the Kiwanis Club of Alpine, and the Alpine Veterans of Foreign Wars.  It is a program of math, physics and engineering only offered at Alpine Union schools.