What
Worcester Polytechnic Institute's (WPI) Department of Physics annual Goddard Cup water rocket competition. Teams design and build rockets from pop bottles filled with pressurized water. Each team gets three shots at landing its 2-liter water rocket in a Hula Hoop, situated 30 meters away. The Goddard Cup takes place during the NASA-WPI Centennial Challenge at WPI prior to the Second Annual TouchTomorrow Festival at the university.
Who
Participating teams:
• Frederick W. Hartnett Middle School ((2 teams)
• Burncoat Middle School (1 team)
• Wachusett Regional High School (3 teams)
• Holy Name High School (1 team)
• Worcester East Middle School (30 students divided into teams)
When
Wednesday, June 5. Registration at 4 p.m., with teams launching until 5:30. Awards and refreshments in the Campus Center Lower Level Food Court from 5:30 to 6.
Where
Rear of the WPI Campus Center, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, Mass.
Why
The event pays homage to WPI alumnus Robert H. Goddard (Class of 1908), who is considered by many to be the father of modern rocketry. Goddard launched the world's first liquid fuel rocket on March 16, 1926. To honor his achievement, the participants use "liquid fuel" as well. Whereas Robert Goddard used a combustible fuel, for safety purposes WPI chooses non-combustible water.
More Information
WPI invited all schools in Worcester County, kindergarten through college, to send teams of students to this event. Each team must include a member of their school's faculty to serve as team leader.
