Innovation took a dive on April 5th at the Jenks Trojan Aquatic Center, where TRSA’s SeaPerch Robotics Challenge showcased brilliant young minds and their underwater creations! This exciting event brought together students from across Oklahoma to showcase their skills in an underwater robotics competition.
The competition saw 200 elementary through high school students from 19 schools dive headfirst into the world of aquatic robots! Months of hard work, design iterations, and collaborative problem-solving culminated in a day of thrilling competition. Participants tested their self-built ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) in a series of demanding underwater courses.
The Obstacle Course challenged their robots’ maneuverability and speed, requiring precise control to navigate a complex underwater terrain. The Mission Course, with its theme of Deep Sea Exploration, pushed the teams’ engineering and problem-solving skills even further. Tasks required both a robust design and skillful piloting.
Beyond the pool, the Judges’ Interview provided a valuable opportunity for the students to articulate their design process, explain their engineering choices, and demonstrate their understanding of the underlying scientific principles. This interaction highlighted not only their technical skills but also their ability to communicate their ideas effectively and work as a cohesive team.
“SeaPerch Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for students to experience the tangible connection between STEM concepts and real-world applications,” shared Allison Bailey, Program Manager. “It was exciting to witness the creative solutions the students used to tackle these underwater challenges.”
The success of the 2025 SeaPerch Robotics Challenge underscores the importance of providing hands-on, engaging opportunities for young people to discover the exciting world of STEM. By building, learning, and exploring together, these students are not only developing critical 21st-century skills but also igniting a passion that could lead them to become the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.
We extend a huge congratulations to all the participating teams for their hard work, dedication, and incredible ingenuity. We look forward to seeing what these bright young minds will accomplish next!
2025 Winners:
Elementary
3ʳᵈ Place – “CLAB,” Oakdale Elementary School, Oakdale Public Schools
2ⁿᵈ Place – “Tiger Tails,” Oktaha Elementary School, Oktaha Public Schools
1ˢᵗ Place – “The Penguins,” Oakdale Elementary School, Oakdale Public Schools
Middle School
3ʳᵈ Place** – “Tigers,” Fort Gibson Middle School, Fort Gibson Public Schools
2ⁿᵈ Place* – “Circuit Breakers 4,” Memorial Middle School, Tulsa Public Schools
1ˢᵗ Place* – “Circuit Breakers 2,” Memorial Middle School, Tulsa Public Schools
High School
3ʳᵈ Place – “Sea Strikers,” Dove Science Academy High School, Dove Schools
2ⁿᵈ Place – “SS Eagles,” Sequoyah High School, Sequoyah Public Schools
1ˢᵗ Place – “Dove Shark,” Dove Science Academy High School, Dove Schools
Advancement: 2025 International SeaPerch Challenge
*Advancing
**Alternate
