LURA ACADEMY
WHAT IS the LURA ACADEMY?
LURA Academy is our dedicated training program, designed to bridge the gap between passion, and practical expertise. Students are provided with the space to build essential technical skills through hands-on training, ensuring new recruits reach a high standard of proficiency, without the immediate pressure of project deadlines.
WHy RUN THE LURA ACADEMY?
LURA began as a small group of enthusiasts building their skills from the ground up. However, as we recruited more talent, we noticed a gap. We didn’t have the resources to train new members as effectively as we wanted. This realization was the catalyst for the Academy.
The introduction of LURA Academy allows us to bring all members up to a consistent level of proficiency, regardless of their educational background or initial confidence. It ensures every student has the opportunity to develop the skills needed to contribute effectively to the team.
2025
The 2025 competition began with students being divided into five teams of five to six members. Each team was given two weeks to design and build a mid-powered model rocket.
The challenge was to reach the highest possible altitude without breaking their egg payload. Our mentors provided training in soldering and the use of 3D printers to support students the build phase. The added competitive element motivated students to develop their skills further, and teams demonstrated impressive creativity, technical ability, and teamwork.
Outstanding participants were identified throughout, with the most dedicated students earning the oppurtunity to join the LURA team. Overall, the event showcased the high standard of student engineering and set a strong foundation for future rocketry challenges.
Check out the highlights from the launch day below!
PasT LURA Academies
2024
In 2024, teams focused on water rockets to build a strong foundation in the fundamentals of rocketry. LURA Academy 2024 spanned over 2 weeks, with the goal of launching a water rocket carrying a minimum payload of 1 large egg, and returning it to the ground intact.
2022 Autumn
The first year of the LURA Academy was focused on recruiting members who already possessed a strong fundamental understanding of rocketry. Because our team was small and lacked the resources at the time to provide extensive training, we intentionally sought candidates with a higher initial standard of expertise. Unlike our more recent Academies, the event was held in both Autumn and Summer of 2022.
It ran over the course of 4 weeks, and students built ‘Level 1’ rockets in their teams. The goal was to reach an apogee (peak altitude) as close to 2,500 AGL as possible without exceeding 2,750 ft. The students’ work, like recent years, culminated in a launch day, hosted by the Midlands Rocketry Club
2022 Summer
Student-led engineering initiatives like LURA have proven to be valuable, but often face funding challenges.
Help support LURA’s long-term projects by donating to our Crowdfunder. We are also doing a 10k Fundraiser Run on the 14th of May 2025 to raise money for future launches, which you can contribute to on our GoFundMe.