Students Go Medieval On Pumpkins

News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Some Union students spent Thursday launching pumpkins with medieval war machines.  The students build trebuchets near 66^th and South Mingo for physics class.

The trebuchet was used in the middle ages to smash castle walls or to send things flying over them.

Students were just launching pumpkins, but it took them weeks to learn the math behind the machines and how to construct their own.

The students were quick to point out; the machines are no ordinary catapult.

"A trebuchet has a sling on it that, it will come off the arm at a 45-degree angle and release whatever object you're throwing and it actually gives it a lot more distance," said student Alana Denning.

Alana says her team's trebuchet sent a couple of pumpkins about 70 feet.