NASA’s Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest at JPL

Every year, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, holds its annual pumpkin carving contest as a celebration of Halloween and its 85th anniversary. This special judged event is organized to showcase the creativity of the lab’s brilliant brains who transform fresh supplies of orange squash into unique, artful creations.

The Creative Challenge

Each participant or team has only one hour from sundown to complete their pumpkins, carving them into a variety of themes, characters, dioramas, or spacecraft using whatever additional mechanics and electronics they desire. The result is an array of intricate designs that highlight the JPL’s masterful craftsmanship and electrical skills.

Among the notable entries for this year’s contest:

• Pumpkin Teapot & Cup: A whimsical floating teapot pouring into a pumpkin cup.
• Baby Hippo Pumpkin: Named "Boo Deng," this adorable and unique entry caught the hearts of many pumpkin judges.
• Eerie Circuit Board: Dedicated engineers created a highly detailed mechanical and electrical circuit board.
• Cheeseburger & Fries: A delicious and delightful entry made from ripe pumpkins.
• Tweety Bird in a Silver Cage: A silver gilded pumpkin cage housing a vibrant Tweety Bird.

Public Display

Completed pumpkins are showcased on the JPL patio for admiration by fellow scientists, engineers, and technicians. While the contest is fun and entertaining, each creation is a testament to the lab’s ingenuity and a great display of technical skills.

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Join the Contest

The annual pumpkin carving contest is an excellent representation of the creative spirit that permeates JPL. The lab encourages everyone to participate and share their fabulous ideas, ensuring that this tradition continues to captivate and inspire future generations of scientific minds.

Join the fun and share your favorite pumpkin creations with us in the comments section. If you like this article, feel free to share it with your friends and consider subscribing to our newsletter for more breaking news in space.

What do you think is the most creative pumpkin entry so far? Share your thoughts below!

Don’t miss out on this amazing event—be thrilled by the incredible pumpkins this Halloween! 🎃🎃