Physics in Action at the FAU Pumpkin Drop

Today I had the honor of tossing the first pumpkin at Florida Atlantic’s 16^th annual Pumpkin Drop and Physics Carnival. Each year, this fall tradition provides memorable demonstrations as professors from the Department of Physics toss pumpkins from the roof of the Science Building while explaining key concepts such as the constant acceleration of gravity, terminal velocity, and Newton’s Laws.

After the Pumpkin Drop, the festivities continued with the Physics Carnival, which featured educational games and hands-on experiments for students from several local schools. Faculty members took up the roles of Aristotle, Galileo, Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein to discuss the laws of physics with attendees.

Thank you to Florida Atlantic’s Department of Physics, as well as the Physics & Astronomy Club for once again hosting this wonderful event. The Pumpkin Drop and Physics Carnival continues to be a much-loved tradition for the University and our wider community, showcasing the principles of physics in ways that are both exciting and educational.