Page 86: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (April 2016)

BUILDING THE FUTURE

LSU Site of Sixth National SeaPerch Challenge –

Underwater Robotic Championships 2016 is the sixth year of the National SeaPerch Challenge, an underwater robotics competition. n Saturday, May 21, the three competition events and an expand- inspire their students to build their own excitement about STEM subjects lead-

Sixth National SeaPerch ed number of special awards. Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV’s) ing to a potential future career path. The

Challenge will be held on Hosted by LSU’s College of Human following an academic curriculum con- program reaches a diverse population,

Othe campus of Louisiana Sciences & Education, registered par- sistent with national learning standards so participants in the National Challenge

State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge. ticipants and spectators will be treated supporting Science, Technology, Engi- frequently include students from inner

More than 200 teams of middle and high to the “college experience,” enjoying the neering and Mathematics (STEM) sub- cities to remote rural areas of the coun- school students from across the country, entire weekend’s activities, including the jects with a marine engineering-based try to Native American reservations in an impressive increase of almost 50 per- Friday Night Social, Saturday’s in-pool theme. The program promotes hands-on Minnesota to the islands of Hawaii, all cent over last year, will have earned the competition events and the new elec- learning of engineering and scienti? c of whom have now been introduced to right to compete against their peers on tronic poster competition. The Awards concepts, problem solving, teamwork STEM though SeaPerch. the national stage by winning at the re- Ceremony, along with residence hall ac- and critical thinking, and introduces stu- This year, the organizers welcome gional level. Compare this phenomenal commodations and meals through Sun- dents to potential and rewarding career teams from Australia, the Cayman Is- growth with the ? rst National Seaperch day morning, will be featured for all par- opportunities in naval architecture, ma- lands and Puerto Rico.

Challenge, held six years ago in Phila- ticipants on the university’s picturesque rine, ocean and naval engineering. “With Beginning on Friday afternoon, May delphia, where just 187 students in 38 campus. guidance afforded by AUVSIF and with 20, arriving teams will ? rst check into teams participated. ONR’s commitment to SeaPerch, we their assigned rooms in the LSU resi-

Next month more than 1,500 students, What is SeaPerch? have grown exponentially, reaching over dence halls and get settled, then head teachers, coaches/chaperones, fam- SeaPerch is the innovative K-12 un- 300,000 students to date,” said Susan over to registration in the LSU Carl ily, friends, volunteers, judges, invited derwater robotics program, sponsored Nelson, Executive Director of SeaPerch. Maddox Field House where they will guests, speakers, and committee mem- by the Of? ce of Naval Research (ONR) Over the years, more than 19,000 check in and submit their ROVs for a bers will gather for a weekend of learn- and managed by the Association of Un- teachers and mentors have committed to compliance review. For those vehicles ing, sharing and competition. On the line manned Vehicle Systems International supporting student learning through this requiring adjustments and/or repairs, a will be the title of National SeaPerch Foundation (AUVSIF). It offers teach- stimulating and fun hands-on activity triage station with spare parts and tools

Champion, additional trophies for all ers and group leaders the opportunity to and to promoting student discovery and will be available. Following dinner at 86 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • APRIL 2016

MR #4 (82-89).indd 86 4/8/2016 9:33:26 AM