Water Rocket Competition

How to Register

Registration is now open for the 2026 Water Rocket Competition. Registration Deadline is March 13 at 4:30 pm.

All Water Rocket Competition participants must fill out and return the Registration Form to Kari Lillyman in DSCH 334 or email signed copy to heckkm@unk.edu by Friday, March 13 at 4:30 pm. 

Registration Form

Teams can be comprised of 1-3 UNK students (max of 3). Students can be from ANY department or background. Only eight teams will be accepted. Register your team early! First come, first serve.

Event Details

Goal

How long can your rocket fly?? The longest timed flight gets the prize (we are measuring time, not distance…no, it does not count as “flying” if you get stuck in a tree!). Additional participant guidelines will be provided in the Water Rocket Kit.

Water Rocket Kit

Materials to build your water rocket, as well as water rocket design guidelines, will be provided to each registered group. Pick up will be announced after the registration deadline.

Don't know how to build a rocket? We will include instructions in the Water Rocket Kit (we will tell you exactly how to build the Water Rocket, any modifications made to this design, though, are your choice). Engineers from Royal Engineered Composites will also be available to provide advice during a team meeting that will be announced after the registration deadline.

Team Guidelines

Teams can be comprised of 1-3 UNK students (max of 3). Students can be from ANY department or background. Only EIGHT teams will be accepted (we are limited by the availability of launch pads). Register your team early! First come, first serve.

Water Rocket Competition Prizes (Longest “in-flight” Water Rocket)

First Prize

The First-place team will receive a $300 Visa Gift Card!

Second Prize

The Second-place team will receive a $225 Visa Gift Card!

Third Prize

The Third-place team will receive a $150 Visa Gift Card!

The Spirit Rocket Prize

Prize: $50 Visa Gift Card

Individuals or teams are encouraged to submit a “decorative” (not necessarily flight-ready) water rocket.  Teams/individuals competing in the “flight-ready” Rocket Competition are encouraged to submit a second rocket to participate in the Spirit Rocket Competition.

To be eligible for the Spirit Rocket Prize, your Spirit Rocket must be submitted to Brandon Marshall (DSCH 334) before Friday, May 2nd at 4:30pm. Rockets will be displayed (space pending) and photographed for judging as well as for social media.

Spirit Rocket decoration themes and other embellishments are up to the competitor to decide BUT they cannot be offensive or discriminatory. We reserve the right to disqualify any such entries from the Spirit Rocket Competition.

All Water Rocket Competition Prizes are provided by Royal Engineered Composites.