For the Maker Faire 2025, we designed and created a water rocket. The group members of our project were: Emaad Majeed – Team Manager, Suleiman Mohiuddin, and Jay Kim. We used multiple principles of chemistry while also incorporating our engineering skills to accomplish this project. We wanted to make something innovative, creative, and fun that we would all enjoy doing. All of our documentation can be found in our google drive folder (linked below).
Google Drive Folder:
Define the Problem:
In recent times, there has been an increasing need for a sustainable and eco–friendly fuel source. Combustion is the leading cause of pollution in the environment. Traditional Rockets use harmful materials such as fossil fuels and they release harmful chemicals such as carbon monoxide and dioxide into our atmosphere, worsening the already dangerous problem of pollution in our world. For the Maker Faire 2025 we aim to explore alternative fuel sources for rockets. Instead of using fuel and oil, we aim to use water, a renewable and eco-friendly source of energy, powered by water and air pressure. In this project, we need to use water for energy while also trying to maximize its performance and efficiency.
Chemistry Principles:
In our water rocket project, we apply chemistry principles to understand how gases behave under pressure. By pumping air into the bottle, we compress the gas, increasing its pressure according to Boyle’s Law, which states that pressure and volume are inversely related at constant temperature. This high-pressure air stores potential energy, and when the rocket is released, the air rapidly expands, forcing water out and generating thrust. This process converts the chemical behavior of gases under pressure into mechanical motion, allowing us to launch the rocket. Understanding this gas behavior helps us optimize the air and water ratio for maximum performance.
Generate Concepts:
There can be several different concepts to choose from for this project. Below are several ideas:
- Water pulse jet rocket: This rocket uses rapid, repeated bursts of water and air from a chamber to create a pulse like propulsion. This would only use water and air
- Water rocket glider hybrid: This rocket launches using water pressure. At the peak of the launch, glider wings will deploy, leading to it slowly descending and gathering a lot of distance horizontally
- Water propulsion rocket with adjustable nozzle: This project would use standard water rocket mechanics but with an adjustable nozzle to control how water is lost during the launch. Different nozzles can be used to test efficiency.
- Multistage water rocket: In this rocket, two or more bottles are stacked and connected together. During the launch, the first stage initiates and the rocket launches with water pressure. While in the air at peak pressure, the second stage initiates, and a second stage detaches and launches with its own water/air pressure.
- Water Rocket with internal ballast control: This rocket has a mechanism within it, controlling and shifting the weight during the flight to change the center of gravity.
Develop a Solution:
We are building a model multi-stage water propelled rocket in order to create a fuel solution that is cheaper, environmentally sustainable, and a more efficient way to utilize a fuel source to power rockets and other combustion propulsion based engines. This rocket uses two or more bottles, where each stage launches independently. The first stage provides the initial launch and thrust. The second stage launches independently using momentum from the first launch and its own propulsion. Other designs are wasteful of fuel from natural resources that are limited and also are extremely expensive for any commercial use.
Research:
Construct and Test a Prototype:
Arduino Circuitry:
Final Prototype
Evaluate Solution:
Reflection:
Reflecting on our water rocket project, we faced both successes and setbacks that highlighted what it means to think like an engineer and critical problem-solver. One of the components that performed decently was our staging system—it wasn’t perfect, but it showed potential. The separation worked as intended, helping the rocket shed extra weight mid-flight and slightly increasing airtime. While it wasn’t as smooth or efficient as we hoped, it proved that the concept was valid and worth improving. With only one launch, we didn’t have the chance to refine the timing or structure of the stages, but we learned a lot from observing how it affected stability and thrust. In the future, we’d design a more reliable and lighter staging mechanism, test different detachment timings, and reinforce the connection points for cleaner separation. Despite other challenges—like limited testing and minor stability issues—this project helped us apply real scientific principles and learn how to adapt, analyze, and improve under pressure, just like real engineers.
Present Solution:
Daily Log
Emaad Majeed 