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2022 International SeaPerch Challenge

by Alexandra M. Landsberg, Director, Mathematics, Computer and Information Sciences Division, Office of Naval Research | 14 November 2022

by Alexandra M. Landsberg, Director, Mathematics, Computer and Information Sciences Division, Office of Naval Research | 14 November 2022

On June 4, 2022, elementary, middle and high school students worldwide converged at the University of Maryland to compete in the main event—the 2022 International SeaPerch Challenge!

I had the pleasure of attending the 2022 International SeaPerch Challenge.  As a self-proclaimed STEM geek, I was excited and impressed by the students and their enthusiasm for the competition. 

SeaPerch is an educational underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students with resources to build an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) as part of an in-school activity or in an external setting.  SeaPerch is the name of the educational program and also the ROV.  The SeaPerch program guides students through a real-world engineering and design project centered around building an underwater ROV.  Additionally, the students learn basic science and engineering concepts like tool safety, technical applications, problem-solving and team working skills.  RoboNation, the SeaPerch administrators, estimates that over 250,000 students engage in the program annually through grassroots programs, competitions, and training activities.  It reaches students in over 35 countries and all 50 states in the U.S. 

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Participants operate their remotely operated vehicle (ROV) through an underwater course during the annual International SeaPerch Challenge on June 4 at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland. The Office of Naval Research-sponsored competition brought together students to showcase the ROVs they built as part of a curriculum designed to boost their skills and interest in science, technology, engineering and math. (U.S. Navy photo by Michael Walls)
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220604-N-BT756-1643
Participants operate their remotely operated vehicle (ROV) through an underwater course during the annual International SeaPerch Challenge on June 4 at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland. The Office of Naval Research-sponsored competition brought together students to showcase the ROVs they built as part of a curriculum designed to boost their skills and interest in science, technology, engineering and math. (U.S. Navy photo by Michael Walls)
Photo By: Warren Duffie
VIRIN: 220604-N-BT756-1643

Though not mandatory, students have the option to compete against other students with their SeaPerch design—remember, the SeaPerch is also the ROV.  The students compete in locally-hosted regional competitions to earn a spot at the International SeaPerch Challenge. 

The 2022 International SeaPerch Challenge, themed Space Exploration, hosted 137 teams representing the top 6% of 2,100 teams participating in regional competitions.  I was grateful to have a behind-the-scenes look into the competition.

RoboNation took me on a tour of the full event.  My first stop was the practice pool, a small transportable pool where teams practiced operating their SeaPerch.  It was here I had the pleasure of speaking with and encouraging a female competitor from Kuwait with the interest of becoming an aerospace engineer.  The next stop was a triage area where teams' SeaPerch went through a compliance check and were given the opportunity to repair or improve their SeaPerch.  Following this, I was escorted to the actual competition pool area.  In the pool, there was an obstacle course and the mission course.  The obstacle course was optional and tested the teams’ SeaPerch’s speed and agility.  The mission course fit the theme as it simulated tasks that an ROV might encounter while assisting astronauts on an extravehicular activity outside the International Space Station.  

With only two students allowed to serve as SeaPerch drivers, each team's SeaPerch was required to complete four mission tasks:  1. Gain Battery Panel access by rotating a latch, 2. Disconnect power cables from batteries, 3. Battery replacement, and 4. Transport tools.  Seeing the students operate their underwater ROVs through the time-limited course was exciting.

Naval STEM activities, like SeaPerch, are designed to inspire students and encourage them to pursue STEM education and careers; what better way than an underwater robotics competition?  I was incredibly amazed at the different designs, the students’ understanding of their designs and the science and technology concepts out there. I am truly looking forward to attending this event in the coming years and watching the students learn about robotics in this rapidly changing field.

Visit https://seaperch.org/programs/2022-challenge/ to learn more about the 2022 International SeaPerch Challenge and the winners.  If you’d like to learn more about the SeaPerch program, please visit https://seaperch.org/.
 

 

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