Two teams from Memorial Middle School traveled to Maryland in May to compete at the International SeaPerch Challenge, where they faced 181 teams from around the world. Circuit Breakers 2 placed third out of 75 middle school teams, while Circuit Breakers 4 placed 13th overall.

In just four weeks, the students designed and built their underwater robots entirely from scratch. For many, it was their first hands-on experience with robotics and engineering. With limited prior access to advanced STEM resources, students learned to cut and assemble frames, wire and test thrusters, waterproof electronic components, and conduct pool trials. Through repeated testing and problem-solving, they gained confidence, teamwork skills, and a growing sense of belonging in STEM.

The Building Process

“I never thought I could build a robot, but I did,” said Allen Fox.

Starting with basic materials, the teams worked through a series of technical challenges. Buoyancy proved particularly difficult.

“The biggest challenge was the buoyancy test,” said Susana Estrada-Pardo. Their robot either sank too quickly or floated to the surface instead of holding steady. “We had to test it, adjust it, and try again.”

With guidance from veteran SeaPerch coach Abraham Kamara, students learned core engineering principles by iterating on their designs. The Circuit Breakers ultimately redesigned the standard MIT SeaPerch model to create a robot that was smaller, lighter, and more stable. By testing balance and water resistance, they engineered an ROV capable of passing through 18½-inch obstacle hoops while carrying objects underwater.

“Every test helped us improve the design,” said Miguel Lopez, a 9th-grade Circuit Breakers driver. “If it didn’t work, we changed it and tried again.”

While piloting the ROV is what most spectators see, students also tackled one of the most challenging aspects of the competition: the technical report. The report required them to document their design, analyze performance, and explain engineering decisions—introducing them to the full scope of real-world engineering.

“At first, I thought engineering was just about building stuff,” said Jocelyn Lopez, a 7th-grade Circuit Breakers documenter and driver. “Writing the report helped me understand that you also have to explain why your design works.”

Competition Day

The teams earned their spots at the international competition by winning at the Tulsa Regional SeaPerch Challenge. By the time they reached Maryland, the students had logged dozens of hours testing and refining their robots.

“We were nervous before we competed,” Susana said. “So we had a small pep talk to calm down and focus.”

At the competition, students guided their remotely operated vehicles through timed obstacle courses and mission tasks, navigating gates, retrieving objects, and completing precision maneuvers. Between events, teams from around the world exchanged strategies and handed out team stickers.

“It was great competing with people from around the world,” said Jeremiah Bono. “So many different strategies.”

“It was nice meeting so many new faces and cultures,” Allen added.

For many Circuit Breakers, the trip marked their first time outside Oklahoma. Students toured the University of Maryland and explored Washington, D.C., visiting the White House gates, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the World War II Memorial, the Reflecting Pool, and several Smithsonian museums. Even riding the subway was a first-time experience, offering a powerful contrast to life back home and opening their eyes to new possibilities.

“We were all just so excited,” said Susana. “Seeing all the teams from around the world and being there with all my friends… it was amazing.”

What It Changed

Back at Memorial Middle School, the Circuit Breakers’ success sparked increased interest in robotics and STEM, with more students joining the team and enrolling in STEM-focused classes. The impact has continued into high school, where former team members remain engaged through advanced coursework, Tulsa Tech programs, and high school robotics teams.

Some students even walk miles each week to return to Memorial Middle School to build and test their ROV, driven by what they call “unfinished business.”

“I learned I had the skills and dedication to do it,” Jeremiah said. “I can build things. I can solve problems. I can do this.”