Rocketude!

Aim

The Rocketude! children's STEM activity at Latitude is now so big that it is unaffordable to run. I need funding help to keep it going.

Rocketude! STEM

Rocketude! is a paper rocket-making and launching STEM activity for children. I present it at Latitude each year and it has grown to be extremely popular. I also present this to various schools and colleges in Suffolk. I do this voluntarily because I believe in the power of STEM outreach. The UK is facing a critical deficit in technical talent, and Rocketude! aims to spark the curiosity of future scientists and engineers who will solve tomorrow's challenges.

The Activity

Each child cuts their rocket out from an A4 pattern and assembles it with cellotape. 

The paper rocket is then launched high into the air using a compressed air rocket launcher specifically imported from Air Rocket Works in the USA (who also provide equipment for NASA's STEM outreach activities).

The Funding Issue

Rocketude! is provided completely voluntarily. I do it because I believe it needs doing, and so do my Crew.

We launched around 800 times at Latitude 2025, so in 2026 we have scaled up the proceedings with a Crew of 11 volunteers, 1,000 paper patterns and extra launchers. It's surprising how much laserjet ink that uses!

The children get to keep their rockets, so all Rocketude! materials are consumed during the activity. And, of course, things wear out and get broken as a natural part of this activity, so spare parts have to be imported to maintain the launchers. Additionally, I have had some severe arthritis issues this year, which means I am now unable to camp, so I have had to rent a place to stay nearby and will be driving in and out each day.

All of this means that Rocketude! has become much too expensive to run without additional support. I have attracted some sponsorship from the excellent William & Ellen Vinten Trust and Thales UK, but I still have a substantial negative balance!

So, reluctantly, I am holding my hand out to try to keep Rocketude! going.
All funds raised here will be used to pay for buying paper, printing the patterns, buying parts to maintain the launchers and pumps, buying more banners & flags, buying Crew badges and Hi-Vis H&S vests, buying stickers for children who have made a rocket, and contributing to accommodation and transport costs over the Latitude weekend.
Note that funding will NOT be used to pay for anyone's time - Rocketude! will continue to be run by a Crew of volunteers who all believe that STEM volunteering is a worthwhile effort.

Finally...

Rocketude! is a highly successful STEM activity which gives hundreds of children every year the chance to have an exciting engineering & science experience and to potentially consider STEM subjects and careers in the future. 

If you agree, please help me to keep it going.

Thank you.

Derek

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 2nd September 2026 at 4:52pm