Students Aim High at NASA JPL ‘Candy Toss’ Competition
Pasadena, California – December 7, 2024 – Students from across Southern California showcased their engineering prowess at the annual NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) “Candy Toss” competition on December 6. The event challenged students to design and build devices that could launch candy as high as possible.
The competition, now in its sixth year, is a beloved tradition at JPL. It provides a unique opportunity for students to learn about rocketry, engineering, and the excitement of space exploration. This year’s event featured over 50 student teams from elementary, middle, and high schools.
The teams spent weeks designing and constructing their candy-launching devices, utilizing a variety of materials and techniques. Some teams employed traditional rocket designs, while others opted for more creative approaches, including catapults, slingshots, and even a giant marshmallow cannon.
“This competition is an amazing way for students to engage with science and engineering in a hands-on and fun way,” said Emily Smith, a JPL engineer and event organizer. “They learn problem-solving skills, teamwork, and the importance of perseverance.”
The competition was held in the JPL cafeteria, where each team had a designated launch area. The students stood proudly behind their devices, eagerly awaiting their turn to launch. With a countdown of “5, 4, 3, 2, 1… launch!” the candy soared into the air.
The crowd cheered as the candy reached impressive heights, some even disappearing into the ceiling tiles. The judges, comprised of JPL scientists and engineers, carefully measured each launch and awarded points based on distance and accuracy.
The winning team, from El Monte High School, built a rocket that launched candy an incredible 35 meters. The students were thrilled with their victory and proudly displayed their trophy.
“We’re so happy to have won,” said Sarah Jones, a member of the El Monte team. “We worked really hard on our design, and it paid off.”
In addition to the candy toss competition, students had the opportunity to tour JPL facilities, meet NASA engineers, and learn about the latest space missions. The event was a resounding success, inspiring the next generation of space enthusiasts and showcasing the creativity and ingenuity of Southern California’s students.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center managed by Caltech for NASA. Its mission is to advance our understanding of the universe and inspire the next generation of explorers. For more information about JPL, visit www.jpl.nasa.gov.
Students Aim High at NASA JPL ‘Candy Toss’ Competition
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