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SeaPerch Challenge

The Seaperch Challenge is more than a competition—

it's a journey of discovery, innovation, and teamwork. Through designing and building underwater ROVs, students engage in hands-on learning that fosters creativity, problem-solving, and leadership. It’s a chance to experience the engineering design process in a real-world context, develop resilience, and explore future careers in STEM. For teachers, it’s an exciting way to inspire and connect with students beyond the classroom. Whether or not you win, the joy of working together, overcoming challenges, and seeing your ideas come to life makes the Seaperch experience unforgettable and incredibly rewarding for both students and educators."

- Abraham Kamara, Tulsa Public Schools

SeaPerch: Your Gateway to STEM

Dive into the exciting world of underwater robotics with SeaPerch, a hands-on program that empowers students and educators to design, build, and operate their very own remotely operated vehicle (ROV)! This innovative initiative, supported by Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance, makes robotics accessible to everyone, providing a fantastic platform for inquiry-based learning with tangible, real-world applications. Whether you’re a passionate educator, a dedicated parent, or an inspiring club leader, SeaPerch offers a flexible framework that can be tailored to fit various learning environments and age groups, typically engaging students in grades 5-12.

Build, Learn, and Explore with TRSA!

Students embark on an engaging journey where they’ll not only construct a fully functional underwater robot in approximately 4-8 hours of hands-on building, but also unlock fundamental principles of engineering, design, and science. Beyond the technical skills, SeaPerch cultivates crucial 21st-century skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and innovation. Your team will discover that modifying the ROV’s design and adding custom attachments to tackle specific underwater challenges is all part of the fun and learning!

Ready to Make Waves?

This regional SeaPerch Challenge isn’t just a local event; it’s your team’s chance to shine and potentially advance to the prestigious international SeaPerch competition! Showcase your ingenuity and piloting prowess against other talented teams of students for the opportunity to compete on a global stage. Design, build, and navigate your unique ROV through a series of exciting underwater missions. Get ready to dive in, make a splash, and aim for the world stage!

What to Expect

Pool Events:

Navigate your SeaPerch ROV through an obstacle course and a mission course, including a series of tasks. Score points for time and successful task completion.

The Obstacle Course tests high-speed maneuverability and requires the SeaPerch ROV to navigate the course as quickly as possible.

The Mission Course incorporates a mission related to deep-sea exploration. Teams will lead an exploration effort that will include mapping an area, removing marine life from an underwater station, and retrieving samples in an underwater environment.

Judges’ Interview:

Teams will have a 5-minute interview with a Judge where they’ll present their team and answer questions relevant to their SeaPerch season.

Students should be prepared to describe the intentional design process they completed for their SeaPerch ROV and their team’s approach to developing this design.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it usually take to assemble a SeaPerch?

Get ready to unleash your inner engineer! The hands-on building of your SeaPerch ROV typically takes anywhere from 4 to 8 hours. Of course, this can vary depending on how many awesome builders are on your team and your collective experience. Imagine integrating this exciting build into a semester-long adventure! You could weave in fantastic science and engineering lessons alongside the construction, making it a truly immersive learning experience.

What's the recommended age level for participating?

SeaPerch is a great fit for students in grades 5-12! It’s amazing to see the creativity and problem-solving skills these age groups bring to the challenge. However, we’ve seen younger students get involved too, with the help of a mentor who can handle tools requiring a bit more skill, like drills and soldering irons.

How can I get up to speed on building a SeaPerch – is training available?

Great news – you’ve got this! The SeaPerch Build Manual is designed to be your go-to guide, especially if you’re new to the SeaPerch world. It’s packed with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions and super helpful images and illustrations that will lead you through the build process. Plus, for even more support, check out the online training videos available on the SeaPerch website. You can watch them at your own pace, pausing and rewinding as needed – it’s like having your own personal coach!

What are the initial steps to launching a program in my school?

One of the best things about SeaPerch is its flexibility. Whether you’re looking to ignite STEM interest in a short time or build a more in-depth, year-long program with robust educational support, SeaPerch can adapt to fit your needs. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach – it’s all about what works best for you and your students!

To get started, you’ll need SeaPerch kits, which contain all the essential components to build your very own underwater robot. You’ll also need some tools. You can find a toolkit through the SeaPerch resources, or you can gather your own. The great thing about tools is that they can often be shared among students and used again year after year.

For planning purposes, the SeaPerch team recommends about one kit for every 4-6 elementary students, or 2-4 middle or high school students. They also suggest one teacher toolkit for every five individual SeaPerch kits you order. For all the details on kit contents and pricing, be sure to visit the RoboNation Shop!

Before you even open a kit, we highly recommend taking a look at the Resource Library – Build Resources on the SeaPerch website. This will give you a fantastic overview of the skills involved in constructing the ROV. And don’t forget their online training videos that walk you through the entire build process!

For a program to really shine, what resources or support are most important?

The most crucial element for a thriving SeaPerch program? A passionate champion! This could be an enthusiastic principal, a dedicated teacher, or a supportive parent. Having someone who believes in the power of hands-on learning and can advocate makes a huge difference.

The SeaPerch website offers a wealth of resources to help your program soar, and remember, Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance is always here to lend a hand and cheer you on every step of the way! We deeply appreciate the dedication of all the champions out there making STEM accessible and exciting for our students.

Can I customize the design or add attachments?

Absolutely! In fact, that’s a major part of the SeaPerch adventure! The SeaPerch Build Guide showcases several design options you can choose from, but even better, you and your team can get creative and build a custom design using the materials in the kit or by adding your own innovative components. To make your ROV perform specific underwater tasks, like lifting objects, you’ll definitely want to explore adding attachments. Since the SeaPerch is built with common PVC pipes and fittings, it’s wonderfully easy to modify and personalize. Let your imagination dive in!

What materials and parts are provided in the SeaPerch ROV Kit?

Want to know exactly what treasures await inside a SeaPerch ROV Kit? Head to the RoboNation shop on the SeaPerch website! There, you can explore the components of the ROV Kit and discover other exciting pack options. Just click on each item for a detailed description of what’s included – you’ll see all the essential parts that will bring your underwater explorer to life!

How many kits do I need for my students?

For elementary school teams, the SeaPerch folks recommend one kit for every 4-6 students. For middle and high school teams, they suggest one kit for every 2-4 students. This allows for great collaboration and ensures everyone on the team gets hands-on experience with the building process.

Get Involved

Want to make a difference in the lives of more than 215 young innovators? It takes dozens of community volunteers to make this event possible! Sign up to be a judge or support volunteer. We’ll provide onsite training and all the materials you’ll need.

Already a TRSA volunteer? Sign up through our portal.

Shift Options: Morning: 9:00 AM – Noon // Afternoon: Noon – 3:00 PM

Judges

Become a Champion for Innovation! We need dedicated volunteers to serve as Pool Course Judges and Interview Judges. Your role is critical in ensuring a fair and rewarding competition for these future engineers. You'll witness firsthand the creativity and problem-solving skills of these young minds as their ROVs navigate the obstacle course and mission course.

Apply to Judge

Divers

Calling All Underwater Enthusiasts! The SeaPerch Robotics Challenge needs energetic volunteers to serve as Divers. You'll be responsible for ensuring the safety and smooth operation of the pool competitions. This is a great opportunity to combine your love for aquatic activities with supporting the next generation of underwater explorers!

Apply to Volunteer

Logistics

Be a Part of the Team Behind the Scenes! Your contributions will ensure a seamless event by helping with tasks such as setting up the competition area, managing registration, and assisting with awards presentations. This is a fantastic opportunity to lend a helping hand and witness the excitement of this robotics competition!