Cambridge LaunchPad Committee Partners TTP hosted their first exciting Project Day of 2026 for students from Long Road Sixth Form, Comberton Village College and Hinchinbrooke School.
The day began with a welcome talk from Saad Hussain, a Mechanical Engineering Consultant Intern, who introduced TTP, the work they do and the wide range of roles within the company. Students were then set their challenge for the day: to design a water-powered rocket system capable of delivering a payload to a target orbit before safely descending to a designated landing zone.
The task was broken down into key considerations, including rocket design, performance, cost, aesthetics and safety, encouraging students to think like engineers and balance creativity with practicality.
Working in teams, students quickly got stuck into the challenge. Each team member took on a defined role, mirroring real workplace environments, before planning, designing and building their rockets using a range of provided materials. Creativity and innovation were on full display, with one team even constructing a functioning parachute to support a safe landing.
Alongside the challenge, students were given a tour of TTP’s impressive site, including the Tech Barn and a range of specialist laboratories. Seeing multiple departments located on a single floor helped students understand how collaboration is embedded into TTP’s working culture. During the tour, students engaged in thoughtful conversations with TTP professionals, learning more about their career journeys and the different pathways into STEM roles.
The day concluded with the much-anticipated rocket launch. Each team delivered a short pitch explaining their design choices before handing their rocket over to TTP experts for take off. Excitement built as the rockets were loaded onto the pumps and launched high into the air, with students watching proudly as their designs took flight.
After the launches, the group returned indoors while the judges deliberated. With strong designs and thoughtful engineering across all teams, it was a close decision, a fitting end to a day that showcased creativity, teamwork and problem-solving in action.
“Cambridge LaunchPad creates opportunities for students to see how what they learn in school connects to real jobs and real impact. We’re delighted to parter with TTP to deliver inspiring events for local students, empowering them to make more informed decisions about their future.”
“Launchpad project days are always a real joy to host. They give the students a true glimpse into what life as a scientist or engineer working within the industry might be like, both by immersing them into a hands-on project and by having them experience this within a real workplace. The entire TTP team were impressed by the students' enthusiasm and productivity. How they dove straight into designing their rockets, figuring out how to optimise their performance and most importantly, having fun along the way. It was a great credit to them and reminded, the entire TCP team of what fun they have in their own jobs as scientists and engineers.”
"I learnt about what a STEM workplace looks like, and how it operates and about the different careers and projects people have and work on."
If you think your company could inspire the next generation, please contact our STEM Programme Manager David Hawkins at dhawkins@formthefuture.org.uk or visit our partners page for more information.