HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DIVE INTO NAVAL SEAPERCH ROBOTICS PROGRAM


By lpiette
seaperch

What is simultaneously the most awaited and dreaded time of the year? Back to school, of course! Parents everywhere shed tears and shout cheers as their children venture off for the start of a brand new school year. Although this can be a hectic time of year for many parents, we think it’s also a great time to plan ahead and investigate worthwhile extracurricular activities to keep kids entertained and academically engaged once the school day ends. That being said, we’ve uncovered an extracurricular activity for high school students that's sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity — the Naval SeaPerch Robotics Program. Read next:Inside Teledyne’s $62 Million Order for Robot Centaur Cars

What Is SeaPerch?

Sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that provides students and teachers with the necessary supplies needed to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). SeaPerch is part of the Navy’s initiative to increase students’ and young individuals’ interests in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics programs. SeaPerch is open to all middle and high school students, and it is specifically beneficial to students who have an interest in STEM. The program is run through the National Naval Responsibility for Naval Engineering program that specializes in furthering research, education, and workplace needs that will be of critical importance to the Navy in the future. This hands-on, project-based engineering program was developed in 2003 at MIT. It was the program developers’ vision that, through increasing student engagement in the physical designing, planning, and construction of an ROV, more youth (specifically young females) would go on to study STEM at the university level, furthering the field. The SeaPerch ROVs are built collaboratively by a group of students. Students utilize the discipline of electronics to explore and learn about science, technology, and mathematics. Through designing and constructing ROVs, students obtain a better understanding of how these scientific disciplines come together and operate in society.

Building the Aquatic Robots

The purpose of the SeaPerch program is to slowly introduce students to the field of STEM and encourage them to push past hurdles and problem-solve. Due to the hands-on nature of the program, scientists and engineers from the Naval Surface Warfare Center (the agency that provides engineering, scientific, and technical support for all aspects of surface warfare for the Navy) mentor the students. The scientists and engineers attend each SeaPerch construction training session along with the teachers. Construction of the ROVs can take place in the classroom during the school day or after school in engineering or science clubs. While constructing their SeaPearch ROV, students learn how to use a variety of equipment and tools such as PVC pipe cutters, soldering irons, wire strippers, and multimeters. Assisted by the NSWC engineers and scientists throughout the entire construction process, students learn how to waterproof the motors and how to wire the power cables/switches in their control box, amongst other things.

Purchasing the ROV Kits

SeaPerch kits can be purchased on the program’s Robonation website. If your school is unable to sponsor the SeaPerch program, but you’re still interested in having your child participate in the program, never fear, as you can browse SeaPerch designs and purchase individual kits through their website to be sent to your home address. For schools that are interested in hosting the SeaPerch Robotics program, the kits are purchased through the school and not individually by the parents. All purchase orders must be placed through the official Robonation website. For schools that are placing orders on behalf of their students, the address of where the competition will take place, the number of students and teachers who are participating in the program, the dates, and an executive summary will need to be provided. The SeaPerch kits range in price depending on what supplies the schools need. The standard “SeaPerch Kit” is $179. If the school or students lack the necessary supplies to build the ROV, a “SeaPerch Tool Bag” can be purchased for $249. Additional controller parts or thrusters can also be purchased if needed. Also available for purchase is the official SeaPerch medal for only $3. This keepsake can be awarded to students after they finish building the ROV to celebrate their accomplishments and commemorate the experience.

Where and When Is the SeaPerch Competition?

Each year, students from around the U.S. can participate in the International SeaPerch Challenge. The SeaPerch 2022 challenge took place both in-person and virtually at the University of Maryland, College Park, on June 4. The dates for the 2023 registration and competition season have not been released yet, so be sure to keep an eye out. In addition to the international competition, each year, students from around the U.S. participate in the Seacoast SeaPerch Regional Competitions. These competitions are hosted year-round and are traditionally held in public pools or community centers close to the students’ schools. The last regional SeaPerch challenge has students apply ideas from the Project Lead The Way curriculum. This curriculum has students navigate their ROVs through a rescue and recovery mission with obstacle courses. The competition was modeled after the 2018 Thai cave rescue.

Start a Team at Your Child’s School

Do you have a high school or middle school student in your life that loves robotics, engineering, science, or mathematics? The SeaPearch program is a fantastic opportunity for them to gain hands-on experience and get involved with a community of like-minded peers who are passionate about the sciences. If you’re interested in letting your child or students participate in the Naval SeaPerch robotics competition, students can be registered online. Each school is limited to three teams, and a $25 registration fee per team is required. If you’re interested in learning more about the program or what the registration process requires, be sure to head over to the SeaPerch website for more information. Suggested read:6 Underwater Discoveries Reveal What the Military Has Lost in the Ocean

Image: seaperch.org


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