Philadelphia Students Compete in Pumpkin Launching Event
Teams at Thomas Jefferson University tested their engineering skills at the annual Pumpkin RAMpage contest on Alumni Field.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Food and Drink
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Seven teams of students participated in the Pumpkin RAMpage event at Thomas Jefferson University, using weight and gravity to launch pumpkins across the field. The competition challenged participants to apply their architectural and engineering training to create unique mechanical devices.
Why it matters
The event allows students from different disciplines to collaborate on hands-on construction projects. It serves as a practical application of classroom learning for architecture, design, and engineering students.
The winning team, Liability Launchers, earned a $500 prize and a trophy for their performance. The longest successful launch reached a distance of 338 feet using 5-pound pumpkins.
The players
Thomas Jefferson University
This Philadelphia-based academic institution hosts the annual Pumpkin RAMpage competition on its Alumni Field campus.
Liability Launchers
This student team won the university pumpkin launching competition by achieving the longest distance with their custom wooden contraption.
The details
Students designed and constructed wooden contraptions over several weeks, specifically omitting the use of motors, cannons, or gas-assist designs. The competition required participants to rely solely on weight and gravity to achieve maximum distance.
Timeline
July 2026: The College of Architecture, Design and Engineering formed.
October 24, 2026: The Pumpkin RAMpage event occurred.
Industry Dynamics
The event highlights the growing trend of interdisciplinary collaboration in higher education engineering departments. By fostering projects through the College of Architecture, Design and Engineering, the university aligns itself with modern pedagogical shifts toward hands-on, cross-functional training.
While the competition was limited to university students, the college plans to expand future editions to include high schools and other higher education institutions. Interested observers should monitor the university's public event calendar for potential opportunities to view future contests.
The takeaway
Practical engineering challenges offer students a valuable opportunity to test theoretical designs in real-world conditions. These events show how simple mechanical principles like gravity and weight can create complex results when applied creatively.
Further reading
For more news from the local culinary and event scene, visit the Philadelphia Food and Drink section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHYY.
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