Water Rockets Take Off at CEIP Teresa Berganza and a New Space-Themed Children’s Book Is Launched

As part of an ongoing effort to promote aerospace education beyond the university walls, the Aircraft Operations Lab, led by faculty member Manuel Soler, organized a two-day workshop at CEIP Teresa Berganza, an elementary school in Boadilla del Monte. The activity, tailored for first-grade students, combined hands-on engineering, storytelling, and environmental awareness.

From Storybook to Playground: A Journey through Space

The workshop was closely tied to the launch of La Astropatrulla Basurilla, a children’s book written by Professor Soler. In this humorous and educational tale, Commander Pablo and his peculiar crew—Hipo, Tritops, and Calameona—build a homemade rocket to orbit the Earth and take on a cosmic challenge: cleaning up space debris.

The story reflects one of the department’s active research lines—space sustainability and orbital debris mitigation—and translates complex scientific ideas into a format accessible and entertaining for children.

Building and Launching Water Rockets

The outreach event unfolded over two sessions. In the first, students assembled their own water rockets using simple materials, guided by detailed instructions and the support of the teaching team. This fun and engaging activity allowed them to explore basic concepts of aerodynamics, propulsion, and engineering design.

In the second session, held in the school playground, the young engineers launched their rockets skyward—an exciting moment filled with learning, laughter, and wonder. Watching their own creations take flight gave them a tangible connection to the world of aerospace.

Science, Creativity, and Environmental Awareness

By merging storytelling, creativity, and engineering, this initiative exemplifies the Department’s commitment to scientific outreach and education. It also reflects a growing concern in aerospace research: how to raise awareness of the environmental impact of space activity from an early age.