NCCOS researchers provided scientific support to the 2016 SeaPerch Challenge by serving as judges in the Charleston, South Carolina, competition this month. SeaPerch is an innovative, underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students with the resources needed to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).

Students build the ROV from a kit of low-cost, easily accessible parts following a curriculum that teaches basic science concepts with a marine engineering theme. As part of the nationwide competition, middle and high school students presented posters of their projects and entered their ROVs in an aquatic finesse and obstacle course.

A middle school SeaPerch team explains the design concept of their ROV to NCCOS judges Joe Wade, Katy Chung, and Paul Pennington. Credit: Tod Leighfield.

For more information, explore the SeaPerch Program or contact Katy.Chung@noaa.gov.