Page 25: of Marine Technology Magazine (April 2014)

mitted to supporting student learning through this stimulating and fun hands-on activity and to promoting student discovery and excitement of STEM subjects leading to a potential fu- ture career path. The program reaches a diverse population, and participants in the National Challenge frequently include students from inner city Baltimore to rural Mississippi to Na- tive American reservations in Minnesota to the islands of Ha- waii, all of whom have now been introduced to STEM though

SeaPerch. This year, there may even be the fi rst international team coming from New Zealand to compete.

The weekend starts beginning on Friday, May 16, when ar- riving teams check into their dorm rooms before heading to registration, where they will check in and submit their ROVs for a compliance review. For those vehicles requiring ad- justments and/or repairs, a triage station with spare parts and tools will be available. Following dinner at the student din- ing hall, teams will be treated that evening to an ice cream sSocial where students from across the country can meet, mingle and compare their design enhancements and innova- tions. All student participants will receive National SeaPerch

SeaPerch brings together government, indus- try and academia in an effort to expose young people to careers and opportunity in science and technology. Beyond the learning experi- ence, though, students are encouraged to simply have fun. www.seadiscovery.com

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