Aggies launch homemade paper rockets with Engineers without Borders

The high-pitched squeal of an air compressor echoed across the Utah State University Engineering Quad on Feb. 23 as students and staff launched colorful paper rockets into the air. The event, put on by USU’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders, or EWB, kicked off the celebration of National Engineers Week on Logan campus.  

With guidance from members of the EWB club, event attendees designed their own foot-long rockets out of PVC pipe, colored paper and tape before putting their durability and efficiency to the test on the launcher.  

“I’ve been into model rockets for years, but it’s such an expensive hobby,” said Nathan Housley, an engineering student at the event. “I think this is kind of a cool, entry-level model rocket opportunity.” 

Abby Barton, president of the USU EWB, said the inspiration behind and the purpose of this event was simple: to have fun.  

“Engineers can have fun, you know, and they don’t have to just work, work, work all the time,” Barton said. “We just wanted to give back to the college and host something fun for them too.” 

The event allowed attendees to get hands-on with a simplified version of engineering that is creative and affordable.  

“I think events like these are important because they allow people to do fun things outside of class,” said Emilie Caldwell, vice president of EWB. “This gives people opportunities to socialize and network in a more casual setting and to have fun and let off some steam.” 

While not every rocket made it off of the launcher and into the sky, attendees said they enjoyed the social and accessible aspects of the event. 

“It’s very entry-level and easy for everybody to approach,” said Ella Whitesides, an environmental science and sustainability student at the event. “More than anything, I think it’s nice for student clubs to get to do exposure.” 

Barton shared a similar sentiment, saying events like these help support EWB by getting its name out there.  

“I think a lot of people are a little murky on what we do,” Barton said. “By hosting activities like this, we’re kind of in their face and students can see it and be reminded about it.” 

EWB is a national non-profit organization that helps support communities in need through humanitarian-based engineering projects. Chapters across the U.S. are made up of student and professional volunteers who work together to meet the needs of under-resourced communities around the globe.  

“These projects could be anything from a clean water system to a community garden to a hospital,” Barton said. “It just really depends on what the community needs and what we have the capacity for fundraising wise.” 

The student chapter of the EWB at USU is currently working with communities in Peru helping redesign portable alpaca shelters to decrease alpaca offspring mortality rates. They are also working with communities in Arizona to improve water infrastructure at a scout camp.  

“We go in, find out what their needs are, we’ll map things, we’ll draw things, we’ll do surveying and stuff, but we can’t actually do construction,” Caldwell said. “We kind of get the ball rolling for them so that they can take that information and get more funding to finish their projects.” 

According to Barton, what makes EWB unique is its focus on giving back in tangible ways.  

“I think that we get real-world experience that a lot of other clubs may not,” Barton said. “I like being able to see the impact in communities we help, even if it takes a long time.” 

Caldwell shared a similar perspective. 

“It’s cool to be a part of something that, even if I’m not physically there meeting these people, I’m still making an impact by helping do the project,” Caldwell said.  

While the club doesn’t plan on helping communities build any rockets in the future, members said they were happy to help celebrate USU’s engineering community through this activity. 

“Everyone brings different skills to the table, and engineers think and solve problems very differently,” Caldwell said. “The work they’re doing and the time it takes them to get their education is definitely something that’s worth taking a week to celebrate.”