Water Rokit Learning Zone

Word of the Week

Our Words of the Week open the door to a world where language and discovery go hand in hand. With over 350 carefully chosen terms from across the STEM universe — from ‘ablation’ and ‘atmospheric pressure’ to ‘thrust’ and ‘gravity’ — we’re not just teaching vocabulary, we’re sparking curiosity.

Each word is an invitation to ask questions, explore new ideas and see the world through a fresh, scientific lens. By understanding the language of STEM, young people gain the confidence to join the conversation, to innovate, and to imagine themselves as the problem-solvers and pioneers of tomorrow.

Whether it’s decoding how the universe works or designing solutions for real-world challenges, our Words of the Week help build the knowledge, confidence and inspiration that future generations need to thrive. One word at a time, we’re empowering learners to think bigger, reach higher and become the changemakers our world needs.

Artemis

The Artemis programme intends to re-establish a human presence on the Moon for the first time since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.
Previous Words of the Week:

Ablation

What is Ablation? Ablation is the erosion of a solid body by a high-temperature gas stream moving with high velocity, e.g. a re-entry vehicle's heat shield which melts or chars under the effects of air friction.

Abort

Put simply, abort is to cancel or cut short a mission.

Absolute Magnitude

A measure of how bright a star really is, if all stars were the same distance away.

Acceleration

Acceleration is the name we give to any process where there is a change in velocity.

Action and Reaction

Newton’s Third Law – every action force has an equal and opposite reaction force.

Adaptive Optics

A technology that corrects for atmospheric distortion in ground-based telescopes.

Aerodynamics

The study of the properties of moving air and the interaction between the air and solid bodies moving through it.

Aerospace

The branch of technology and engineering concerned with flight within Earth’s atmosphere and in outer space.

Aerospace Engineer

Designs and tests aircraft, rockets, and spacecraft systems.

Air lock

A compartment separating areas of different environments.

Air Pressure

The force of air particles pressing on a surface.

Air Resistance

Air resistance is a kind of friction that occurs between air and another object.

Airframe

The main physical structure of an aircraft or rocket, excluding engines and payloads.

Altimeter

An altimeter is a device that measures altitude.

Altitude

Altitude or height is a distance measurement, usually in the vertical or "up" direction.

Altitude (Orbit)

The height of a satellite above Earth’s surface, usually measured in kilometres.

Ambient

The encompassing atmosphere.

Andromeda Galaxy

The nearest large galaxy to the Milky Way, about 2.5 million light years away.

Antenna

A device for sending or receiving radio waves for communication with spacecraft.

Antimatter

Matter made of particles opposite to normal matter (e.g., positrons instead of electrons). When matter and antimatter meet, they destroy each other and release energy.

Apogee (Flight)

The highest point reached by a rocket during flight before descending.

Apogee (Orbit)

The highest point in a satellite’s orbit around Earth.

Apollo Mission

The Apollo Mission was the third United States human spaceflight program carried out by NASA.

Apparent Magnitude

How bright a star appears from Earth.

Artemis

The Artemis programme intends to re-establish a human presence on the Moon for the first time since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.

Ascent module

The part of a spacecraft that ascends from the surface of a planet or moon to rendezvous and dock with an orbiting spacecraft.

Asteroid

A rocky object orbiting the Sun, smaller than a planet, mostly found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Asteroid Belt

The region between Mars and Jupiter where most asteroids orbit the Sun.

Astrobiologist

Studies the possibility of life beyond Earth and the conditions needed for it.

Astronaut

A person who flies in space.

Astronautics

The science and technology of space flight.

Astronomer

A scientist who studies stars, planets, galaxies, and the universe.

Astrophysicist

A physicist who applies laws of physics to explain how celestial bodies behave.

Astrorad

AstroRad, a radiation protection vest.

Atmosphere

A layer of gases surrounding a planet or moon. Earth’s atmosphere contains oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases.

Atmospheric pressure

Atmospheric pressure is the air around you that has weight.

Atmospheric Scientist

Studies Earth’s atmosphere, weather, and climate, often using satellite data.

Attitude control

 Attitude control are the actions carried out to control the orientation of an object

Aurora

A natural light display in the sky caused by charged particles from the Sun interacting with Earth’s magnetic field.

Autopilot

Autopilot is a system or device that controls a vehicle's flight at a pre-set course and altitude.

Axis

An imaginary line around which a planet rotates, giving day and night.

Back-up

Back-up can be an item kept available to replace an item which fails to perform satisfactorily.

Balanced Forces

When opposing forces are equal, causing no change in motion.

Battery

A battery is a device with two or more connected cells that produce a direct current by converting chemical energy into electrical energy.

Bernoulli’s Principle

The faster air moves, the lower its pressure — important in lift and aerodynamics.

Bi propellant

Bi propellant is a rocket propellant consisting of two unmixed or non-combined chemicals

Big Bang Theory

The scientific theory that the universe began as a tiny, extremely hot and dense point about 13.8 billion years ago and has been expanding ever since.

Binary Star

Two stars orbiting around a common centre of gravity.

Biochemist (Space)

Investigates how living organisms and biological molecules behave in space conditions.

Black Dwarf

A theoretical cold, dark remnant of a white dwarf after it has cooled completely.

Black Hole

A region of space where gravity is so strong that nothing, not even light, can escape.

Black Hole Singularity

The centre of a black hole where gravity is infinitely strong and space-time curves infinitely.

Blackout

Blackout is a temporary loss of vision and/or consciousness

Blackout (radio)

A temporary loss of radio communications

Blueshift

When light waves from a moving object are compressed as it moves towards us, making the light appear bluer.

Boost

The extra power given to a rocket or space vehicle during lift off.

Booster

A powerful first-stage engine that provides the initial thrust needed for lift-off.

Bow shock wave

The compressed wave that forms in front of a spacecraft or satellite as it moves

Burn

A period when a rocket engine is firing to change speed or direction.

Calibration

Adjusting instruments so their measurements are accurate and reliable.

Capsule

The crew or instrument compartment of a spacecraft, often designed to return safely to Earth.

CCD (Charge-Coupled Device)

A sensitive digital chip that captures images in telescopes and cameras.

Centre of Gravity

The point where an object’s weight acts evenly in all directions.

Centre of Mass

The average location of all mass in an object.

Centre of Pressure

The point where aerodynamic forces act on a rocket or aircraft.

Cepheid Variable

A type of star that regularly brightens and dims, used to measure distances to faraway galaxies.

Circular Orbit

An orbit where the satellite’s distance from Earth remains constant.

Climate Scientist

Uses space data to monitor global temperature, greenhouse gases, and environmental changes.

Combustion

A chemical reaction between two or more substances that releases heat, light, and gases.

Comet

An icy object that orbits the Sun; when close, it forms a glowing tail of gas and dust.

Communications Engineer

Designs satellite and radio systems that transmit signals between Earth and spacecraft.

Compression

A force that squeezes or shortens a material.

Computer Scientist (Space)

Develops software for data analysis, spacecraft control, and AI for robotic missions.

Constellation

A pattern of stars named after shapes, animals, or mythological figures.

Control Surfaces

Parts like fins or flaps that change direction during flight.

Core (Star)

The centre of a star where nuclear fusion occurs, releasing energy.

Corona

The Sun’s outer atmosphere, visible during a total solar eclipse.

Cosmic Background Radiation

Faint microwave radiation left over from the Big Bang, filling the universe.

Cosmic Rays

High-energy particles that travel through space, sometimes hitting Earth’s atmosphere.

Cosmic Web

The large-scale structure of the universe, showing galaxies arranged in filaments and voids.

Cosmology

The study of the origin, structure, and evolution of the universe.

Countdown

The timed sequence leading up to a rocket launch.

Crater

A circular depression on a planet or moon’s surface caused by an impact.

Crew Module

The section of a spacecraft that houses astronauts and life-support systems.

CubeSat

A small, cube-shaped satellite (usually 10 cm per side) used for low-cost missions.

CubeSats

A CubeSat is a class of miniaturised satellite based around a form factor consisting of 10 cm cubes.

Cut-off

Cut-off is the action of stopping a process abruptly.

Dark Energy

A mysterious force thought to cause the accelerating expansion of the universe.

Dark Matter

Invisible matter that doesn’t emit light but has mass and affects the movement of galaxies.

Data Analyst

Interprets large sets of data from telescopes, satellites, or experiments.

Data Relay Satellite

A satellite that transmits data between other spacecraft and ground stations.

Day

The time it takes for a planet to complete one full rotation on its axis.

Deceleration

A decrease in velocity — negative acceleration.

Deep Space

The vast regions of space beyond Earth’s solar system.

Deep Space Network (DSN)

A global system of large radio antennas used to communicate with distant probes.

Density

Density is the substance's mass per unit of volume.

Deorbit

The controlled process of bringing a spacecraft out of orbit to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere.

Displacement

The straight-line distance and direction from a starting to finishing point.

Docking

When two spacecraft join together in orbit.

Docking Port

A connection point allowing two spacecraft to join.
Shipping Cost Information
Net Order Value
Upto - £250.00
£250.00 -
 £500.00
£500.00 -
 £750.00
Over £750.00
Shipping Cost
£10.00
£15.00
£20.00
FREE SHIPPING
Net Order Value
Shipping Cost
FREE SHIPPING

Contact Us

Contacting us is easy, simply complete the form below.

Free Delivery Over £25.00*

Standard delivery ships in 2-4 working days.

Please allow up to 4 weeks for international orders to arrive (we are working very hard to reduce this time).

FREE on all orders over £25.00;
£3.95 for orders under £25.00;