News 2015: Underwater robots dive into competition at UMass Dartmouth May 29-30

News 2015: Underwater robots dive into competition at UMass Dartmouth May 29-30
Underwater robots dive into competition at UMass Dartmouth May 29-30

100+ teams from across U.S. travel to UMass Dartmouth for 2015 National SeaPerch Challenge

UMass Dartmouth will host the 2015 National SeaPerch Challenge May 29-30 at the University's Tripp Athletic Center. More than 100 teams from across the country will compete in a juried poster competition and in-pool technical events with their underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). The National Challenge will take place on Saturday, May 30, with pool competition 10 a.m. -- 4:30 p.m. followed by an awards ceremony that evening in the gymnasium. 

ROVs are utilized extensively by the scientific community, private industry, and military with uses ranging from studying oceans to military intelligence purposes. SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students with the resources they need to build an underwater ROV in an in-school or out-of-school setting. Students build the ROV from a kit comprised of low-cost, easily accessible parts, following a curriculum that teaches basic engineering and science concepts with a marine engineering theme. The SeaPerch Program provides students with the opportunity to learn about robotics, engineering, science, and mathematics (STEM) while building an underwater ROV as part of a science and engineering technology curriculum. Throughout the project, students will learn engineering concepts, problem solving, teamwork, and technical applications.