The Beacon School take part in the Water Rocket Challenge!

The Rocketeers team at The Beacon School spent three months building and testing rockets in preparation for the National Water Rocket Challenge held annually at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington.

The competition challenges students to use their knowledge of forces and maths to design, build and successfully launch water rockets getting to a PSI of 90.

It also aims to build team working and problem solving skills in students, and awards them for their application of key scientific skills such as safety, precision and accuracy and experimental design.

For the competition the school managed to get sponsorship from one of Mrs Hopwood's friends, Creative Technology​, who donated hard hats, and also Mr Boeje and parent, Mr Crankshaw. 

This year, The Beacon School wanted to celebrate a diverse range of scientists and women in STEM and our banner, printed by Mr Templeman, reflected this. 

The team faced many challenges during the preparatory period, from bottles being the wrong size and caps for launchers and wing spin directing rockets at the wrong angle. Despite the challenges faced, the team managed to secure 11th place overall from over 40 schools and also won the award for safely launching an egg that didn't crack as well as best safety protocol during the launch.

As part of the event, students also got the chance to talk to some of the physicists working currently at NPL, from astrophysicists to theoretical physicists. They heard about how they got into their current roles and answered any questions students had regarding theories in physics. Students had some fantastic questions ranging from “what would the heaviest element feel like on a teaspoon?” to “ what is the maximum pressure a 2L fizzy drink bottle can withstand before bursting?” 

The day at NPL sports club ended with the team walking away inspired by the amazing careers in physics and the sheer fun of rocket launching!

As a result of this competition, the school will be inviting students to join STEM on Monday 10 July after school for a fun in school water rocket challenge and have lots of fun! 

Congratulations to all the students and thank you to the DT Department for supporting the STEM club as well as the Year 11 ambassadors Harry and Daniel,  for helping with organisation and preparation.