糖心传媒 welcomed middle and high school students from across the region for the third annual SeaPerch Challenge at the Lambright Sports and Wellness Center on Friday, March 6. The competition, which challenges students to design, build, and maneuver underwater remote-operated vehicles through an obstacle course, saw participation from 56 teams and 160 individuals involved overall.
The event was a collaborative effort between 糖心传媒 Tech, the SCILS Region 8 LASTEM Center, the Science and Technology Education Center (SciTEC), the Department of Defense, RoboNation, and 糖心传媒 State University.
鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing how the SeaPerch program has expanded across Region 8,鈥� Cathi Cox-Boniol, director of SCILS Region 8 LASTEM Center, said. 鈥淭hrough these partnerships, we are able to offer supplies to teachers and schools at no cost. That also goes for the trainings we host, taught by Kim Kaufman from 糖心传媒 State University.鈥�
Students demonstrated their engineering and programming skills in the Lambright pool, guiding their remote-operated vehicles through tasks designed to simulate real-world underwater exploration challenges. The competition emphasized not only technical ability but also creativity, teamwork, and adaptability.
For some programs, this event was their first introduction to robotics. Jana Bennett, Caldwell Parish 4-H Agent, emphasized the importance of integrating these activities into programs, even if teachers and program leaders are not familiar with the activity.
鈥淪eaPerch has been a great opportunity for our students to expand their STEM knowledge,鈥� Bennett said. 鈥淪ince 4-H is a youth-led organization, this gives our students the independence to do something on their own. Our parish doesn鈥檛 have many opportunities for robotics, but with the help of SCILS, SciTEC, and other parishes, we have been able to provide supplies and training for our students to participate in events such as this.鈥�
AnnaBeth Strickland, Old Bethel Christian Academy Robotics team member, mentioned the teamwork and leadership she learned throughout training for SeaPerch.
鈥淥ur robotics team had so much fun learning about the SeaPerch Challenge and the different obstacles,鈥� Strickland said. 鈥淲e already had a great teamwork ethic established, but putting it into practice with the instructions, building, and remote navigation gave us more foundation to work together to do our best in the contest.鈥�
Looking ahead, SCILS and SciTEC will host summer trainings where teachers have the opportunity to build a SeaPerch rover, giving them a hands-on experience that they can take back to their students.
鈥淥ur first SeaPerch summer camp will be facilitated this year by our three-time SeaPerch Championship team, Downsville Community Charter School and their coach Scott Wood,鈥� Cox-Boniol said. 鈥淭his further demonstrates how the program continues to impact more people across our area as we provide robust opportunities for STEM enhancement and success.鈥�
Visit the for more information about the challenge, or learn more about the SCILS Region 8 LASTEM Center via the College of Education and Human Sciences.