MESA DAY CONTEST RULES
2012-2013
BOTTLE ROCKET
LEVEL:
Elementary School (Grades 3rd – 5th)
TYPE OF CONTEST:
TEAM
COMPOSITION OF TEAM:
2- 3 STUDENTS
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF ENTRIES:
3 teams per Advisor/Class of 30 students
SPONSOR:
UC Irvine MESA Schools Program
OVERVIEW:
Students design and construct a model rocket, powered by water and 90 psi of air
pressure, which will remain aloft for the longest period of time. Blueprint must be
submitted with model rocket.
MATERIALS:
The following are the ONLY materials that may be used to build the rocket.
 One - 2 liter soda bottle (ONLY Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Coke, or Sprite)
 Cardboard

 Cardstock
 Plastic cups
 Paper
 Clay
 Manila Folders
 Tape
 Paper cups
 Water
 Tape
 String
 Marker, paint, and other
 Plastic
materials for decoration
RULES:
1. On MESA Day students will submit their Pre-Constructed Bottle Rocket and accompanying blueprint.
2. The rocket must be the original work of the student. Judges may ask questions in order to verify the
authenticity of their work.
3. No part of the rocket may obstruct the mouth of the bottle. Mount the fins in a manner that keeps them at
least 2” away from the mouth of the bottle.
4. Students may not alter the structural integrity of the bottle. (No cutting, sanding, spray painting etc.)
5. Only water is permitted inside the bottle rocket. No other materials may be inside the bottle.
6. Water will be added to the rocket on MESA Day.
7. Aerodynamic devices, recovery devices, and parachutes ARE permitted.
8. Rocket may be decorated.
9. Nose cone cannot be sharp, pointed, or rigid spike. Nose cone must be blunt at the tip.
10. Students must submit a blue print of their design which includes the following:
A. Complete list of materials used in the construction of the rocket.
B. Diagram of the rocket.
C. Specific amount of water to be used. (ie. 1 cup, 2 ½ cups, 8 oz)
JUDGING:
1. When team is called, one student from each team will approach the launch area for testing.
2. Team member will have 5 minutes to prepare their rocket for launch. This includes adding the amount of
water specified in the blueprint and preparing any recovery devices.
3. Judges will fill each rocket with 90 psi of air and give the countdown to launch.
4. Three judges using three different stopwatches will time the rocket’s flight from launch until it reaches the
ground or comes in contact with any obstruction. The official flight time will be the middle of these three
times.
5. Each rocket will be launched only once. Only in the event of a launcher malfunction or interference with
the first launch will a second launch be allowed.
6. All competitors and spectators must remain behind the caution tape at all times. Only the students that is
launching the rocket is permitted within the launch area.
7. Rockets will be disqualified if any part of the rocket obstructs the mouth of the bottle, preventing launch.
8. A rocket may be disqualified if, in the opinion of the judges, launching it poses a hazard to spectators.
9. Missing or incomplete blueprints will receive a 1-2 second deduction in their flight times.
AWARDS:
1. Medals will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place based on the longest flight time.
2. In the event of a tie duplicate awards will be given.