Naval Station Great Lakes hosted over 500 students from more than 30 schools at the 3rd annual Midwest Regional SeaPerch Competition at the USS Indianapolis Combat Training Pool at Recruit Training Command (RTC), March 18.

SeaPerch is an underwater robotics program, and one of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs, sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, which allows students to build and operate an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV).

RTC Commanding Officer, Capt. Michael Garrick said, "It's a privilege to host SeaPerch at Recruit Training Command. The teams have put so much work into their projects and have produced some really exciting results. It's great to see STEM inspire such creativity, critical thinking, teamwork and leadership."

Science teacher Kelly O'Connor, from North Chicago middle school Neal Math and Science Academy, explained how her students got ready for the competition.

"Our students decided that they would like to participate in SeaPerch this year," said O'Connor. "We began in October learning about buoyancy and some of the physics behind what they need to do, and going through the engineering process. We began building our kits, and that's where our Surface Warfare Officers School Unit (SWOSU) crew came in to help."

Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) 2nd Class Emily Newman, whose Navy rating applies to STEM concepts, was just one of the SWOSU Sailors who volunteered their time and expertise to help these students complete their ROVs.

"I originally wanted to help out with tutoring, and I found out about STEM and that it deals with engineering," said Newman. "That's what I've been doing for the last 8 years and I got excited about that. Going through the process of building their SeaPerch and having them test it in the pool was an awesome experience, and seeing how excited they were was a great feeling."

O'Connor said participation in this regional competition would not have been possible without these Sailors.

"Their participation, motivation and involvement with our students have been remarkable and incredible," O'Connor said. "The relationships they built with our students and the level of expertise that they brought in to work with our students after school has been really rewarding to our kids and us as teachers."

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