Model Rocket Workshop: A Project-Based Learning Experience for Engineering Students

Authors

  • Jose I. Rojas Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC)
  • Xavier Prats Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC)
  • Adeline Montlaur Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC)
  • Enrique Garcia-Berro Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v3i4.290

Keywords:

Model Rocket Workshop, Project-Based Learning, rocketry, transversal skills

Abstract


A Project-Based Learning (PBL) experience for undergraduate students of aerospace engineering is described in this paper. The experience allows the students to build a model rocket using materials which can be easily obtained. They also compute all the relevant quantities to design and characterize the rocket and they test the robustness of their design. They furthermore launch the rocket with the corresponding payload and verify the flight parameters using an on-board altimeter. Finally, they also compare the flight parameters with the theoretically expected values. Using this simple scheme the students are later introduced in the simulation of complex flows, using standard techniques. We find that our students get rapidly involved in the project, allowing them to acquire several practical abilities, besides developing an accurate knowledge of the physics of rockets and of fluid dynamics.

Author Biographies

Jose I. Rojas, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC)

Escola Politecnica Superior de Castelldefels (EPSC)

Xavier Prats, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC)

Escola Politecnica Superior de Castelldefels (EPSC)

Adeline Montlaur, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC)

Escola Politecnica Superior de Castelldefels (EPSC)

Enrique Garcia-Berro, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC)

Escola Politecnica Superior de Castelldefels (EPSC)

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Published

2008-06-03

How to Cite

Rojas, J. I., Prats, X., Montlaur, A., & Garcia-Berro, E. (2008). Model Rocket Workshop: A Project-Based Learning Experience for Engineering Students. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 3(4), pp. 70–77. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v3i4.290

Issue

Section

Papers