Rockets filled the skies over Teddington on Wednesday 20 June. It is not as scary as it sounds - these were water rockets launched by teams competing in the National Physical Laboratory's Annual Water Rocket Challenge.

Once again, hundreds of rockets were launched, to varying degrees of success, by teams from local schools, youth groups, families and individuals. Over 30 teams also took on the 'Egg-stra' challenge of attempting to launch an egg without it breaking. Two-thirds of the eggs landed undamaged - even one that was strapped on like a nose cone!

Congratulations to the winners and participants of the event, which raised £2,300 for Shooting Star CHASE.

Schools Event

45 teams registered from all over the country. 'Einstein' was there to meet the teams as they arrived and awards were given out by NPL's Deputy Director, Dr Martyn Sené.

1st Prize - Stags in Space from Greycourt School, Ham
2nd Prize - Evargedlaw from Waldegrave School, Teddington
3rd Prize - h2overdrive from Grace Dieu Manor Primary School, Leicestershire

Flight Duration Award - F=ma from Ewell Castle School 7.2 seconds (no parachute)

Full list of scores for the schools event

To keep the crowds busy both in the afternoon and evening, there was a Stixx engineering challenge - to build an increasingly spacious shelter using rolled up newspaper (although a number of magazine racks, wastepaper baskets and shelters were also built!); and science demos were provided by the Royal Gunpowder Mills which proved very entertaining.

Public Event

20 teams took part in the open challenge and over 45 rockets were made and launched on the night by participants of the workshops. An enthusiastic crowd of spectators were there to support. Awards were given out by Her Worship the Mayor of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Councillor Rita Palmer.

1st Prize - Team Gragar
2nd Prize - Serpents of the Crimson Moon
3rd Prize - Splatnik

Flight Duration Award - The Brothers of Doom (all the way from South Wales) 7.0 seconds (no parachute)

Full list of scores for the evening event

See results, videos and photos from previous years' Water Rocket Challenges