Young scientists show off their technological wizardry in secondary schools competition

Hundreds of keen young 'rocket scientists' from local secondary schools launched their own inventions at La Salle College in Kowloon Tong when they competed in the Water Rocket Contest 2001.

Jointly organised by HKeducationCITY.net and the Education Department, the contest aims to inspire students studying science and various physical concepts and give them an opportunity to learn via the Internet.

St Bonaventure College and High School emerged the winners, with a distance of 122 metres. Lai Chack Middle School and Tuen Mun Catholic Secondary School were first and second runners-up respectively, with 115 metres and 106 metres.

Water rockets have been popular around the world for many years, with many enthusiasts studying their technology. Without relying on fuel, water rockets can travel more than a hundred metres based on Isaac Newton's Third Law, the principle of conservation of momentum.

Water rockets are simple to make using a PET or soda plastic bottle, water and compressed air.

To give teams more information about making water rockets, and offer them a way to share ideas, the organisers set up a Web site with information and references on water rockets.

A teacher from Chan Shu Kui Memorial School, one of the competing teams, said the contest was a good way to learn about science. Last semester, the school's Science Club organised its own water rocket competition.