About us

A volunteer project in northern Berkshire County building trebuchets, from desktop models kids make in free workshops to a community-built machine that can throw a pumpkin hundreds of feet.

Who we are

Matthew Baya

Matthew has worked in IT at Williams College for more than 15 years, in the Office for Information Technology’s Networks & Systems group, and has a computer science degree from Antioch College. Before COVID he led Adventures in Learning Minecraft courses at Williamstown Elementary. He serves on the South Williamstown Community Association board and has volunteered at its Repair Cafe for years.

Kaare Francis

Kaare is a mechanical engineer (UNH, 2015, with an ocean engineering background) who builds and fixes things at Atlantis Equipment. He has taught after-school robotics at Pine Cobble School, has lived in the Berkshires all his life, and also serves on the SWCA board, where he has volunteered at its Repair Cafe for years.

Advisors

  • Steven J. Miller, Professor of Mathematics, Williams College
  • Michael Casselli, Associate Professor of Sculpture and Installation, Antioch College
  • Jason Mativi, Senior Science Center Shop Engineer, Williams College
  • Shawn Burdick, physics teacher, Mount Greylock Regional School

Partners

  • Milne Public Library: hosting our first kids’ workshops in February 2027.
  • Second Chance Composting: exploring a trebuchet demonstration at a future fall event, and composting the pumpkins we launch.
  • Atlantis Equipment: donating some of the tools, materials and hardware to help build our trebuchets and catapults.
  • Puzzled Antique (Michael Richardson): 3D printing our desktop trebuchet kits.

What we’re building

Our goal is a trebuchet at least 10 feet tall, built by the project’s two organizers on a towable base, that can throw a pumpkin hundreds of feet at free community launch events in fall 2027. We’re getting there in steps: desktop models now, a “Big Yard” (3–4 ft) machine in early 2027, then the big machine, which we aim to have ready by September 2027. The free kids’ workshops come first. They teach real physics, and they build the community interest and support a big machine needs.

What kids get out of it

A kid who builds a trebuchet, misses the target, adds a penny to the counterweight and tries again is doing real science: making a prediction, changing one thing, measuring, and arguing about why. Along the way they meet levers, stored energy and the arc of a launch, plus a little medieval history. Then they take the machine home and show their family.

Where things stand

  • The program idea started in fall 2025 and has gone through several revisions to reach this plan.
  • Grants: we applied to the Williamstown Community Chest on October 2, 2026, and are applying to the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire (due October 15).
  • Workshops: the Milne Public Library will host our first workshops during February vacation 2027 (days being set). We proposed a January course at Williamstown Elementary through Adventures in Learning, which may pause this year, and a February–March course at Pine Cobble School.
  • Machines: desktop prototypes now; a “Big Yard” (3–4 ft) trebuchet January–March 2027; a machine at least 10 feet tall is our goal for September 2027.
  • Pumpkins: grow-kit sign-ups open by April 2027, only if our fall launches are confirmed.
  • Launch sites: we’re talking with possible venues; none are confirmed.
  • Insurance: no public launch happens without liability insurance in place, and we’re getting quotes now.
  • Money: we’re funded by grants and donations. We’re arranging a fiscal sponsor (a local 501(c)(3)) so gifts can be tax-deductible, and we may form our own nonprofit.

Timeline

Fall 2026 Grant applications, desktop prototypes, finding workshop sites and collaborators
Winter 2027 Milne Library workshops (February vacation); build the “Big Yard” (3–4 ft) trebuchet; proposed school courses
Spring 2027 Spring break library workshops; “Small Yard” (12–18 in) models; grow-kit pickup and planting (if launches are confirmed); start the big machine
Summer 2027 Pumpkins grow; finish and safety-test the big machine (goal: ready by September)
Fall 2027 Launch events

Later, we’d like to…

Visit middle and high school physics classes with a bigger machine; bring demonstrations to summer camps and STEM festivals; and try a golf challenge where teams use shared trebuchets and physics to land a golf ball closest to the pin.

Programs that inspired us

Want to help?

Volunteer, grow a pumpkin, host a workshop, or lend us your advice. Get involved →