SeaPerch

Lore & Background

The SeaPerch program was inspired by the 1997 book 'Build Your Own Underwater Robot and other Wet Projects' by Harry Bohm and Vickie Jensen. In 1997, Dr. Tom Consi introduced SeaPerch to the Ocean Engineering program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to interest more students in majoring in Ocean Engineering. Recognizing its potential for younger students, the MIT Sea Grant College Program created the SeaPerch initiative in 2003, sponsored by the Office of Naval Research. Dr. Chryssostomos Chryssostomidis, MITSG Director, and Brandy Wilbur, Educational Coordinator, were responsible for the MIT Sea Grant effort.

In late 2007, the Office of Naval Research tasked the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) with researching ways to expand and enhance the SeaPerch initiative as part of the ONR National Naval Responsibility for Naval Engineering Outreach effort. The program provides free teacher training to school districts, offering continuing education or professional credits. Teachers receive an established curriculum designed to meet national learning standards, covering concepts such as ship and submarine design. The program also focuses on presenting technical career possibilities to minorities and girls.

At the completion of construction, students are encouraged to test their vehicles, deploy them on missions, and compete in the SeaPerch Challenge, a one-day district-wide competition that rewards sportsmanship, spirit, design skills, and mastery of concepts. The first SeaPerch event was the Prince William County Public Schools SeaPerch ROV competition day on April 26, 2008, at George Mason University's Fairfax campus, attracting over 150 students from 42 teams and nine schools. This was reportedly the first sub-sea robotic competition in Virginia. The first annual SeaPerch Stakeholders Conference was held August 4–6, 2009, in Honolulu, Hawaii, hosted by the Office of Naval Research and SNAME.

Reader's Guide

SeaPerch's significance lies in its role as a long-term effort to address decreasing college enrollments in engineering and technical programs by engaging students from elementary through high school in hands-on science and engineering. The program was created by the MIT Sea Grant College Program in 2003, sponsored by the Office of Naval Research as part of the National Naval Responsibility for Naval Engineering, aiming to find the next generation of naval architects, marine engineers, naval engineers, and ocean engineers. By providing free teacher training and a curriculum that meets national learning standards, SeaPerch allows schools to teach multiple concepts efficiently through a single project. The program's focus on underrepresented populations, including minorities and girls, broadens access to technical careers. The SeaPerch Challenge fosters an end goal and rewards sportsmanship, spirit, and design skills. Since its inception, SeaPerch has provided over 4,000 students with the opportunity to learn about underwater robotics. By 2009, over 230 teachers had been trained, and close to 900 kits had been shipped to schools across the country, with 118 schools in eight states (Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, and Virginia) participating. The first annual Stakeholders Conference in 2009 brought together interested parties to exchange ideas and network, further solidifying the program's legacy as a foundational educational tool in naval and ocean engineering.

Did You Know?

• The first SeaPerch competition was held on April 26, 2008, at George Mason University in Virginia, with over 150 students from nine schools.
• SeaPerch has reached over 4,000 students and trained over 230 teachers since 2009.