Did you know that a pumpkin is a vernacular and typical term for a cultivated orange and round mature winter squash of species and varieties in the genus Cucurbita? 

Science teacher Jen Kirby and math teacher Ralph Villani had their students participate together in myriad activities that were interdisciplinary and fun, all based on pumpkins! 

 

CVMS students practiced their measurement skills as they estimated their pumpkin’s height, circumference, weight, and number of seeds, as well as answering whether they think their pumpkin will sink or float.  After students were done estimating, they did their actual measurements.

 

 

Students had a blast engaging in these activities and reflecting on the science and math aspects that apply to our real world, especially during the fall.

 

Ms. Kirby had even bigger ideas and ended up kick-starting a new tradition – the  CVMS Staff Pumpkin Carving Contest, which will become an annual event. What a great way to use the pumpkins from the lesson to engage all of us in a fun activity that ended up getting pretty competitive. 

 

The idea was for our staff to carve the student pumpkins after school, put them on display anonymously, and have our students vote for the best carved/designed pumpkins.  However, some people, namely CVMS SRO – Officer “Bhags” – got a little too confident in his carved pumpkin, even though this was his first time ever carving a pumpkin. He quickly learned how talented some of the staff members are at this craft. 

 

 

The first ever CVMS pumpkin carving contest results are:  

•  First Place- Chris Canor
• Second Place –  SRO Bhags  
• Third Place – Lisa Bouffard

A great time was had by all and we appreciate Ms. Kirby for facilitating, “Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Everywhere” at CVMS! 

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