What can we do in a Model Rocketry Club?

[vishnu.vardhan.vithanala]

Hello rocketryforum members!

Could you please suggest what sort of projects can students do in a model rocketry club?
Something in regard to Model Rocketry but surrounding the domains of structural design, propulsion and IoT systems?

And could you also add upon how we could take the project further towards more of a research perspective?

Thank you very much in advance!

 

[Hobie1dog]

To the forum. I'm going to let others respond on the many things you can get into

 

[Isaac K.]

One thing that we have done with our 4-H club is a test to see how well different glues held fins. We had a stand where the fins where parallel with the ground then we just used 5 different glues on 5 different fins then we had buckets attached, to the fins , that we slowly filled with sand then weighed how much the buckets weigh.

 

[smstachwick]

Hey there! Most rocket clubs will focus on organizing casual launch events, with individual modelers expected to build and fly their own models, although assistance to newcomers often comes organically through individual members making their expertise and supplies available in their spare time.

However, any dedicated volunteer can organize workshops focused on a specific topic or skill. Just be sure to gauge interest and announce the times and places well in advance. Contests can be a good motivator to attend, and for attendees to put forth effort, especially if there is a substantial prize, award, or official recognition available. Some clubs will host contest events, special challenges, night flying, drag races, raffles, technology showcases, or other activities that encourage outside-the-box thinking.

Competitive events will inevitably force competitors to pursue greater understanding of the underlying mechanics of their rockets and master new skills in order to get a leg-up on their opponents.

 

[mjennings]

What age group are you working with? When I do rockets with scouts, how I approach it greatly depends on the age of the kids.

 

[vishnu.vardhan.vithanala]

What age group are you working with? When I do rockets with scouts, how I approach it greatly depends on the age of the kids.

Mostly undergrad students.

 

[mjennings]

That opens up all sorts of things. You can strength test various diameter and materials for tubes. You can paper fins, make balsa ply wood, other laminates and test them. Have them all build the same kit weigh them all, and compare altitude and do statics on performance. Do scratch builds and work out the borrowman equations for stability.

Also at that age see what they would like to accomplish/ learn and work to that

 

[boatgeek]

This is an order of magnitude more work, but you can also participate in Spaceport America Cup or NASA Student Launch. Both are great programs that will stretch you and take you into high power rocketry. Both will also require you to get a mentor who has high power experience.

 

[Hobie1dog]

Have you had launches yet? You could start out by having everyone build a Level 1 rocket.

 

[Alan15578]

Mostly undergrad students.

Check out all the great things the MIT Rocket Society did bask in the early 70s.