The second edition of Water Rockets, promoted by the Facsa-UJI Chair, doubles the figures of the previous year with nearly 400 participants

The Multiphase Fluids research group at UJI held its second Water Rockets competition today. The event took place on the university's athletics track. This activity, promoted by the Chair Facsa The project, run by the UJI (Universitat Jaume I), is aimed at primary, secondary, high school, and vocational training students in the Valencian Community. Its objective is to motivate students in the scientific field through the design, construction, and launch of a water rocket. 

This competition is part of the outreach activities of the Facsa Chair of Innovation in the Integrated Water Cycle of the UJIAnd it has managed to bring together nearly 400 participants from different educational levels, double the number from the previous edition.  

After a few words of welcome from the director of the Scientific Dissemination Unit, Lluís Martínez, and the explanation of the dynamics of the contest by Sergio Chiva, director of the Facsa-UJI Chair, and Raúl Martínez, president of the jury, the Multiphase Fluids Group carried out the inaugural launch of a water rocket. 

Then, during the next four hours of the competition, the 39 teams put all their newly acquired knowledge into practice, attempting to achieve the greatest height in the two rounds of throws. The students were supervised at all times by members of the organizing committee, as well as by the jury, composed of Raúl Martínez and Leonor Hernández from the Fluid Mechanics department; Jesús Lancis, Vice-Rector of Research; and Ana Piquer, Director of the Higher School of Technology and Experimental Sciences (ESTCE). 

Therefore, after the completion of the launch rounds, the jury has awarded the following prizes to the educational centers: 

The Fly Higher Award for participation category 1 (third cycle of primary school, 1st and 2nd year of ESO) was awarded to the Flors Foundation of Vila-real. The Fly Higher Award for participation category 2 (3rd and 4th year of ESO, Basic Vocational Training 1, Basic Vocational Training 2, Baccalaureate, and Intermediate and Higher Vocational Training) was awarded to the Politècnic Secondary School of Castelló. Finally, the Special Engineering Award was given to the Francesc Tárrega Secondary School of Vila-real. 

The prizes were sponsored by the Facsa Chair, with each award consisting of €500 for introductory robotics and computer science courses. The Special Engineering Prize was awarded based on the scientific reports submitted describing the rocket project. This prize was sponsored by five degree programs at the UJI's School of Engineering (Industrial Technology Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Industrial Design and Product Development Engineering), with €500 worth of introductory engineering materials.