Rocketeers from three universities are today competing to achieve a Guinness World Records title and win a $25,000 prize for achieving the Highest launch of an effervescent tablet (Alka-Rocket).

The three teams have qualified for the final of the Bayer-Big Ten Alka-Rocket Challenge which was open to all 14 members of the Big Ten Universities in the United States.

Each team will aim to launch an Alka-Rocket, a model rocket often built using a 35mm film canister and propelled by the chemical reaction that occurs when effervescent tablets are mixed with water - a mainstay of Bayer's Making Science Make Sense® (MSMS) science-literacy initiative which demonstrates principles of chemistry and physics.

Three teams of finalists from the Big Ten universities were selected this month by a panel of judges based on the design, execution and creativity of their Alka-Rockets. 

They are:

  • University of Minnesota
  • Nortwestern University 
  • Rutgers University

Originally designed as a way to demonstrate science in schools, these students are able to propel rockets to great heights and now have a chance to prove their skills and enter the record books.

Each team has had three weeks to prepare for the final which is taking place at Space Center Houston in Texas and will see each rocket launched.

As well as an official Guinness World Records adjudicator, a team of judges will be present to help name the winning team; the judging panel will consist of of Dr. Mae Jemison - a former NASA astronaut and the first African-American woman in space, Cliff Ransom - Executive Editor of Scientific American Custom Media and Dave Brown - Space Center University coordinator for Space Center Houston.

As well as potentially securing a spot in Guinness World Records history, the winning team will receive $25,000 and be recognized on the field of Lucas Oil Stadium during the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis on 2 December.

The competition has been created to help increase awareness for the US' need for more scientists, engineers and innovators.

"Bayer created the Alka-Rocket Challenge to convey the importance of science literacy and STEM education in a light-hearted and engaging way," said Ray Kerins, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Bayer. "Our partnership with the Big Ten universities, which dominate both athletics and the education of our future scientists and engineers, has been key to making the Challenge such a blast."