Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL) is holding a Trebuchet Contest on Saturday, May 6, in downtown Fredericksburg. Registration begins at 10 a.m. at Headquarters Library, followed by a robotics demonstration by Kilroy Robotics at 10:30 a.m. The competition will take place on private property adjacent to City Dock, located near the end of Sophia Street, starting at 11:00 a.m. Dave Shotwell of Kilroy Robotics will be our guest judge.
Trebuchets are a type of catapult. Full-sized trebuchets were used during medieval times to smash down castle walls during sieges. Contestants can make their trebuchets at home or in a library MakerLab. Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Middle School, High School, Adult, Family.
Schedule of Events:
10:00 a.m. - Registration at Headquarters Library
10:30 a.m. - Kilroy Robotics demonstration at Headquarters Library
11:00 a.m. - Competition adjacent to City Dock
Rules:
You must have a name for your trebuchet.
The dimensions of your trebuchet may be no larger than 2 x 2 x 2 feet.
CRRL will provide projectiles which are less than 2 inches in diameter.
Projectiles must remain intact until they hit the ground.
All trebuchets must be propelled by gravity (no springs, no elastics, no compressed air or water, no explosives).
CRRL judges are the final arbiters on safety.
