Three FAU SeaPerch Teams Qualify for National Competition
Florida Atlantic University’s SeaPerch teams recently won 15 awards at a regional competition hosted by FAU’s A.D. Henderson University School and FAU High School.
Florida Atlantic University’s SeaPerch teams recently won 15 awards at a regional competition hosted by FAU’s A.D. Henderson University School and FAU High School. Three of those teams will advance to the national competition in May.
On Friday, Feb. 3, FAU hosted eight middle school teams and 12 high school teams from Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. On Saturday, Feb. 4, another 22 middle school teams from the tri-county area competed. FAU’s Marine Robotics Club and Human Powered Submarine Team provided volunteers for both tournaments.
Teams were tasked with building remote underwater vehicles, or ROVs, where they maneuvered them through a series of challenges in a pool. Teams also were required to give a poster presentation, detailing their design and testing process.
Three FAU teams - SCUBA-doo, FAU High Sea Owls and Sea Owls 778 - placed first or second overall, earning them a trip to the National SeaPerch Challenge.
“We are so very proud of our SeaPerch teams that qualified for the national competition,” said Allan Phipps, STEM coordinator for A.D. Henderson University School. “Their creative use of Computer Aided Design and 3D printing showed how innovative our students are.”
The SeaPerch program provides students with the opportunity to learn about robotics, engineering, science and mathematics. Building an underwater ROV teaches students basic skills in ship and submarine design, while encouraging them to explore opportunities in naval architecture and ocean engineering.
-FAU-
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