Twenty teams of middle school students from across northeast Wisconsin participateD in the 10th annual SeaPerch competition at Ashwaubenon Community Pool on Saturday, February 17, 2024. Teams compete with self-built, underwater Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV) sponsored by the NEW Manufacturing Alliance, North Coast Marine Manufacturing Alliance, Fincantieri Marine Group, Cruisers Yachts, Einstein Project, and the Navy League. SeaPerch is a comprehensive educational program created to inspire and introduce maritime careers to the future workforce.
SeaPerch creates opportunities for students to explore careers, such as naval and marine architecture, engineering, and design. The curriculum associated with SeaPerch integrates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) into learnings.
Ann Franz, executive director of both the NEW Manufacturing Alliance and North Coast Marine Manufacturing Alliance, explained, “The competition encourages teamwork, increases self-confidence, and teaches problem-solving skills to overcome real-life challenges.” Over the years, the organization has invested in free kits for schools to participate in the program.
The regional competition has teams from the following communities: Appleton, Ashwaubenon, De Pere, Elkhart Lake, Freedom, Green Bay, Little Chute, Sturgeon Bay and Washington Island. The top two winners have the opportunity to go to the International SeaPerch competition taking place on May 31st & June 1, 2024 in Maryland.
Congratulation to the regional winners: First place, Aldo Leopold Community School – Safety Fish Team, second place, Washington Island – Fast n Furious Team, and third place went to Washington Island – Jaws Team.
About SeaPerch: SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students with the resources they need to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) in an in-school or out-of-school setting. Learn more at https://northcoastmma.com/seaperch/
Photo Credit: Mark Hawkins
