Learn & Play
Punkin’ Chunkin’
Educational FUN
What is Punkin’ Chunkin’?
Using their knowledge of history, math, and physics, students build trebuchets, a medieval siege engine, to launch pumpkins and golf balls, competing for distance and accuracy. They practice teamwork while learning wood handling and the use of hand tools.
It is also a popular activity around the world. The European Championship is held annually in Belgium, followed by the World Championship in Delaware the first full weekend after Halloween.
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Educational FUN
Punkin’ Chunkin’ 2025
We were pleased to continue offering the Punkin’ Chunkin’ Engineering Field Trip for fourth graders in October 2025. With the invaluable support of Joan MacQueen Middle School engineering students, our fourth graders built trebuchets to launch pumpkins and golf balls, competing for distance and accuracy.
A heartfelt thank you to our middle school students for their mentorship, Liberty Charter for assisting with safety checks, and Albertsons in Alpine for providing the pumpkins!
Educational FUN
Punkin’ Chunkin’ 2024
Over the course of two days, Alpine Union 4th & 5th graders gathered at the Shadow Hills Elementary School sports fields for Punkin’ Chunkin’. Using knowledge of history, math and physics, students built trebuchets (the Medieval siege engine) for fun and competition.
Students built 20 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 for each trebuchet. After lunch, the students put their knowledge and handiwork to the test by launching “missiles” downfield, including base balls up to pumpkins. It was a contest of effort, distance, and accuracy.
Punkin’ Chunkin’ 2024 was an AEF collaboration in partnership with Intellicept (makers of Skatestoppers), the Kiwanis Club of Alpine, and the Alpine Veterans of Foreign Wars.
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A 501(c)3 California Incorporated Non-Profit Charity
Location: PO Box 1296 Alpine CA 91903
Email: alpineaef@gmail.com