Old Hammondtown student Neo Hager said there were two outcomes for the water-powered rocket he built.

“This one is going to fail or it’s going to work really well,” the sixth grader said.

Neo’s rocket sailed into the sky and landed more than 100 feet from the launch site, eliciting cheers from his fellow students.

On Friday afternoon, the sixth grade class tested rockets they had built as part of a science lesson by sending them into the air behind the school. Students took plastic, two-litre soda bottles and made them aerodynamic by attaching fins. Students also learned about weight distribution and added some decoration, explained teacher Laura Mirabito.

Teacher Ben Squire manned the launch pad, which was attached to an air compressor. The bottles were partially filled with water. Once placed, the students released the compressed air propelling the rockets hundreds of feet into the air.

Students Ryan Picewick and Brandon Wilbur were the first to launch. Their rocket, called Sky Flier, was a success.

Students Mary Butler and Grace Greany launched their rocket soon after. Though not as high flying as some rockets, it cleared 75 feet. And besides: “We had fun making it,” Mary said.