Radnor Middle School's Gateways SeaPerch Underwater Robotics Team, "Aqua Associates," competed at the National Challenge held at the McAuley Aquatic Center at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia on May 20.
The students participated in an Underwater Mission, Obstacle Course and created an Engineering Notebook. The team finished 8th in the middle school class out of 73 teams from the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
The "Aqua Associates" advanced to Nationals after a strong performance at the Greater Philadelphia SeaPerch Challenge at Temple University in March where they earned 1st Place in Team Presentation and 2nd place in Pool Performance.
SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students with the resources they need to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) in an in-school or out-of-school setting. Students build the ROV from a kit comprised of low-cost, easily accessible parts, following a curriculum that teaches basic engineering and science concepts with a marine engineering theme. The SeaPerch Program provides students with the opportunity to learn about robotics, engineering, science, and mathematics (STEM) while building an underwater ROV as part of a science and engineering technology curriculum. Throughout the project, students will learn engineering concepts, problem solving, teamwork, and technical applications.