CHICO, Calif. — On Friday, Chico elementary students had a smashing time as they watched members of Chico State’s Society of Physics drop pumpkins from a crane, all in the name of science.
The 38th annual Pumpkin Drop is an engaging way to teach students about the laws of gravity. Everything on Earth accelerates at the same rate, meaning heavy and light pumpkins hit the ground at the same time, according to Chico State Physics Professor Kendall Hall.
Photo at Chico State’s 38th annual Pumpkin Drop experiment in Chico, Calif. on October 31, 2025. (KRCR)
Pumpkins were filled with feathers, water, and even set on fire to demonstrate that our earliest theories on gravity were inaccurate.
Hall says the event helps students develop and test hypotheses in a fun, Halloween-spirited way.
“You just have to sneak the science in there with the fun. It’s really saying, ‘Okay, who thinks this is going to hit first? Who thinks this will hit first? And who thinks they’ll hit at the same time.’ The children are actually thinking about ‘What do I think right now?’ and then seeing if that prediction comes true,” Hall said.
Photo at Chico State’s 38th annual Pumpkin Drop experiment in Chico, Calif. on October 31, 2025. (KRCR)
Chico State’s Chemistry Club, SAACS, Earth Club, AGES and Mechatronics Club also hosted demonstration events for the kids.
All the pumpkins were grown and then donated by the Chico State University Farm.
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