Water Rocket Challenge

This water rocket challenge aims to provide a platform for school students to design, build and test a water rocket model based on scientific principles such as rocket propulsion theory, aerodynamics, and Newton’s third law with the goal of educating school students on the actual science behind the creation of water rockets. Through this competition, school students are encouraged to conduct research on science and engineering during the design phase of their work.

Participants Selection:

1. This competition is open to teams of four (4) form 4 and/or form 5 students.
2. Participation is open to the first twenty (20) schools to register only. Registration should be done by email, together with details of team members and school and sent to aero@eng.usm.my by 9th April, 2012. Conformation of participation will be sent to successful schools within two (2) working days of receipt of email.
3. The water rocket models should be built in the teams’ respective schools prior to competition day. Only completed models will be launched and evaluated on the competition day.

Details of the Water Rocket Challenge:

1. Only one category shall be competed – Water rocket with parachute deployment system.
2. Each water rocket model must be equipped with a parachute. Rockets without a parachute deployment system will be disqualified. Parachutes must be installed on the upper component of the rockets.
3. The rocket should be designed in a way that will keep it airborne for a long amount of time. Time airborne will be noted.
4. Only 1.5 litter Coca-Cola / Sprite / F & N Carbonated Drink PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) bottles are to be used. Combustible chemical materials, pointed materials, metal, and other harmful materials that can cause injury and death are not allowed to be used.
5. All rockets will be launched at a launch pressure of 8 atmospheres (atm).
6. Each team is allowed to make one (1) launch only.
7. Setup of water rockets to the launcher will be done by the organizers only. Students are only allowed to launch their rockets with the permission of the organizers.
8. Launches will be made at a launch angle of 90°.
9. Each water rocket will be timed from the moment of launch right up to the moment it:
• falls to the ground,
• gets tangled up with another object like a tree or building or fence,
• flies out of the judges’ sight,
• is airborne for more than 15 minutes.
10. Judging criteria will be based on the longest time the water rocket is airborne. Entries will also be judged on the level of creativity, understanding and depth of research conducted during the design stage – to be submitted to the organizers in the form of a scientific report by email to aero@eng.usm.my by 13th April, 2012.