Space at Smith Hosts Student Rocket Building Event

Students built model rockets and pitched them to judges at the University of Maryland business school.

Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Job Fairs

Three homemade model rockets made of cardboard bases and plastic bottles with pipe cleaner fins rest on a wooden workbench in soft window light. — Students at the University of Maryland business school pitched homemade model rockets to judges at a Space at Smith build event. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you consider a career in the space industry if you lacked an engineering degree?

Space at Smith, a student-led aerospace club created in fall 2025, hosted a rocket building event in the University of Maryland business school. Small student groups designed and built model rockets from materials such as water bottles, cardboard and paper for a chance to win prizes.

Why it matters

The club aims to help students find jobs or internships and build networks within the aerospace industry. It plans professional networking events with recruiters from Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Boeing.

The event was open to all students and involved four student judges from the club's executive board. The club is relatively new, and its stated focus is on growing attendance.

The players

Space at Smith

A student-led organization created in fall 2025 that works to engage students with the aerospace and defense industry.

The details

Teams pitched finished rockets to the judges using a mix of humor and expertise. One group built a cardboard base and attached two disposable water bottles decorated with pipe cleaners to imitate a propulsion system. Executive members said rocketry involves both engineering and business disciplines.

Fall 2025: Space at Smith was created as a student-led organization.
November 10, 2026: The rocket building event was held in the University of Maryland business school.

Job Fairs

Student clubs that pair hands-on projects with recruiter networking are a recognized route into the aerospace and defense workforce, and Space at Smith's planned events with Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Boeing follow that pattern.

Students interested in aerospace careers can join hands-on club projects and attend planned networking events with defense and aerospace recruiters. Participation is open to students regardless of prior interest in space.