10 winning teams at water rocket competition

After nearly 8 hours of competition, 10 excellent teams won out of 57 teams participating in the challenge of the "Flying into Space" water rocket launch competition.

The list of winning teams was announced by the Organizing Committee of the water rocket competition for primary and secondary school students on the evening of August 10. The final round took place throughout October 8 at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, within the framework of the 8th National STEM Festival (Vietnam STEM Festival 2023). 57 participating teams with nearly 250 contestants were divided into 2 groups, including the group for primary school students (8-10 years old) and the group for secondary school students (11-15 years old).

The organizing committee said that the teams were selected from nominations in the grassroots rounds organized by the localities (each province is allowed to send a maximum of 5 teams per grade level). In the final round, the teams compete by launching water rockets, experiencing the construction, operation, and problem solving of a real rocket and satellite.

The organizers awarded the winning team of the water rocket launching competition. Photo: BTC — The organizers awarded the winning team of the water rocket launching competition. Photo: *BTC*

In the primary category, the first prize went to team D2, including Duong Quoc Dung (Dai Mo Primary School) and Nguyen Vu Anh Duy (Nguyen Sieu Secondary and High School). The second prize went to team NASA 4B, including Do Minh Phong, Do Minh, Nguyen Huu Anh, Dang Trung Anh and Nguyen Minh Nhat (Doan Thi Diem Primary School). The third prize went to team PheniRockka from Phenikaa Inter-level School - Hanoi, including Phan Tung Lam, Nguyen Nam Khanh, Le Hoang Quan, Le Anh Hanh An and Le Anh Thu. In this category, the most popular team went to Universe 4D (Doan Thi Diem Primary School) and PheniRockka won the design award.

In the Middle School category, the first prize was awarded to the Universe team, including Ha Linh, Diem My, Cam Tu, Nam Khanh and Thao Nguyen, Thanh Quan Middle School (Hanoi). The second prize went to the Hana Star Wars team from FPT Ha Nam Primary, Secondary and High School, including Nguyen Thi Ngoc Diep, Nguyen Ngoc Bao Tran, Dinh Vu Minh Chau, Nguyen Anh Tu and Nguyen Dinh Long. The Space team (Dinh Thien Ly Secondary and High School) won the third prize with members Vo Tan Binh, Do Tran Huy Long, Tran Dang Minh Khoi, Mai Quang Minh and Duong Khanh Hung. The most favorite team award went to Phys – Hub and the Design award went to the LSTS Super Rocket team, both from Dinh Thien Ly Secondary and High School.

Team ... wins Space Water Rocket Competition - 2 — Children excitedly participate in the water rocket shooting competition. Photo: *Nhu Quynh*

Teacher Nguyen Thi Cam Nhung, homeroom teacher of class 7A1, Dinh Thien Ly Secondary and High School (HCMC) shared that she was "very happy and proud" when the LSTS Super Rocket Team and the competing teams from Dinh Thien Ly Secondary School won the award. Ms. Nhung said that she and her parents brought the children from the LSTS Super Rocket Team to Hanoi in the spirit of exchange and inspiration to nurture their passion for science. "The children were very excited about the competitions in the program. This was an extremely meaningful experience because it was the first time the children had come to the capital Hanoi and participated in a national playground," she said.

In addition to the competition, 6 teams from Dinh Thien Ly Secondary and High School were also supported by the Organizing Committee to participate in the rocket launch demonstration using a homemade launcher. "I believe this will be a stepping stone for the children to make a breakthrough in their future development journey, and at the same time, I hope that there will be many useful playgrounds to encourage many young talents and potentials of the country," said Ms. Nhung.

Mr. Tran Xuan Bach, Secretary of the Youth Union of the Ministry of Science and Technology, representative of the Organizing Committee, said that the contest seeks young talents with a passion for space exploration, thereby contributing to inspiring and raising awareness and understanding of the meaning and value of space science and technology to the community. "Through the Festival, the program hopes to support teachers and students across the country on their journey to seek and expand scientific knowledge in a new context, gradually mastering knowledge and building the future," said Mr. Bach.

The 2023 National STEM Festival is directed by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Education and Training, the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, in coordination with Hanoi University of Science and Technology, the STEM Alliance and other units operating in the fields of science, technology and STEM education. With the theme "Vietnam, breaking through to new heights", the festival has had many exciting activities nationwide for more than 4 months and ended with the Grand Festival.

Team ... wins water rocket competition Flying into space - 1 — Through launching water rockets, children experience making, operating and designing models. Photo: *Nhu Quynh*

The National STEM Festival has been held 8 times (the first time in 2015). The festival has connected, spread and raised awareness of the community, especially young people, about the role of science, technology and innovation, inspiring a passion for research from school.