190 Students from 38 countries just arrived in the cold, snowy Netherlands to begin their studies at TU Delft. In order to make them feel more at home, the university hosted an Introduction Programme for international students.
This programme plays an important role in the acculturation of students new to the Netherlands as they get to know Delft and get a taste of the educational system at the university.
This year, for the first time, the Introduction Programme ended with a Best Rocket competition. “The idea came from EUROAVIA, the European Association of Aerospace Students”, said Sophie Vardon, coordinator of this spring’s Introduction Programme. The students had to build a rocket and launch it using only water and air pressure. “Fizzy substances like cola and bicarbonate of soda are definitely not allowed”, joked Vardon. The rocket that stayed airborne for the longest was the winner.
The students also had to design an academic poster, highlighting design justification, innovation and team process. Points were awarded for factors such as innovation, sustainability and clear presentation. “We divided the new students into groups that were as mixed as possible”, explained Vardon. “Both culturally and academically as we didn’t want all the aerospace engineers in one group.”
Rocket-launching day saw sun, snow and a great deal of enthusiasm. The groups arrived clutching rockets made of plastic bottles, cardboard and plastic bags – and many launch systems seemed to involve a bicycle pump. Twenty-four launches later, a winning team was declared as their rocket stayed a-loft for 48 seconds. Later, the judges voted ‘Marilyn Monrocket’ as the best presentation. “The judges were impressed”, said Vardon, “by both the poster and the fact that all team members contributed to the discussion.”
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