NJROTC Students Excel at STEM Competition 2017
Sea-Perch is an innovative underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students with the resources they need to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). The Sea-Perch Program provides students with hands on learning about robotics, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) while building an underwater ROV as part of NJROTC teams. Throughout the project, students will learn engineering concepts, problem solving, teamwork, and technical applications. They also get interviewed by a panel of judges with questions on STEM (Careers, Statistics, National needs) while presenting their Engineering notebooks.
The Cadets all participated in building, testing and overcoming mistakes and failures before it was ready to drive. During the practical phase they take the ROV to the CFBISD Natatorium to practice on an obstacle course they also built. Once everyone had time piloting the ROV, they conducted a drivers try-out to identify the best pilots to lead their teams in the up-coming regional competition.
Last week they participated in the Dallas regional competition with over 90 schools taking part. Schools from as far as El Paso and Houston were in attendance. The competitions consisted of 3 phases. First, the Engineering Notebook (ENB) which cadets used to explain their design process to include: sketches, photos, graphs and explanations using engineering terminology. The ENB also has to have a professional appearance. All the cadets had to contribute and explain their role in the Engineering Notebook. Next, was the two obstacle courses. First was a timed event where they piloted the ROV through six hoops, breech the surface and return in reverse order to the starting point. The next course was the Finesse, it required the ROV to pick up rings and cubes and place them on hooks within the allotted time. Of the 90 Schools in attendance only the top 7 would advance to Atlanta for the National Competition. R L Turner NJROTC came in first place in the Finesse course however we placed 9th overall. This was the 3rd year RLT NJROTC has competed in Sea Perch advancing farther each year. The future looks bright and the Cadets are extremely excited and motivated to make it to Nationals next year.
Photos by Martin Caro
NJROTC Students Excel at STEM Competition 2017
Sea-Perch is an innovative underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students with the resources they need to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). The Sea-Perch Program provides students with hands on learning about robotics, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) while building an underwater ROV as part of NJROTC teams. Throughout the project, students will learn engineering concepts, problem solving, teamwork, and technical applications. They also get interviewed by a panel of judges with questions on STEM (Careers, Statistics, National needs) while presenting their Engineering notebooks.
The Cadets all participated in building, testing and overcoming mistakes and failures before it was ready to drive. During the practical phase they take the ROV to the CFBISD Natatorium to practice on an obstacle course they also built. Once everyone had time piloting the ROV, they conducted a drivers try-out to identify the best pilots to lead their teams in the up-coming regional competition.
Last week they participated in the Dallas regional competition with over 90 schools taking part. Schools from as far as El Paso and Houston were in attendance. The competitions consisted of 3 phases. First, the Engineering Notebook (ENB) which cadets used to explain their design process to include: sketches, photos, graphs and explanations using engineering terminology. The ENB also has to have a professional appearance. All the cadets had to contribute and explain their role in the Engineering Notebook. Next, was the two obstacle courses. First was a timed event where they piloted the ROV through six hoops, breech the surface and return in reverse order to the starting point. The next course was the Finesse, it required the ROV to pick up rings and cubes and place them on hooks within the allotted time. Of the 90 Schools in attendance only the top 7 would advance to Atlanta for the National Competition. R L Turner NJROTC came in first place in the Finesse course however we placed 9th overall. This was the 3rd year RLT NJROTC has competed in Sea Perch advancing farther each year. The future looks bright and the Cadets are extremely excited and motivated to make it to Nationals next year.
Photos by Martin Caro