PATRIOTS’ 1ST SEAPERCH UNDERWATER ROBOT COMPETITION

Patriots’ 1st SeaPerch Underwater Robot Competition Date:
Saturday, December 5, 2009
9am - 12noon
US Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD

General information: The SeaPerch project allows students the opportunity to construct a simple, remotely-operated underwater vehicle, or ROV, from PVC pipe and other readily available materials. After the build, they are encouraged to test their vehicles, deploy them on “mission” and compete in an exciting event, the SeaPerch Challenge. The Challenge fosters an end goal, rewards sportsmanship, spirit and presentation skills, as well as mastery of the concepts.

Program: Mentors assist students in the construction of the underwater robot. During the build, the students follow an established curriculum, learning about principles such as:

• Buoyancy
• Propulsion
• Design
• Electrical
• Water Proofing
• Tool Safety and Usage
• Career Possibilities

Competition:  U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD

Fee: You must be an active member of the Patro-Tech Science Club.

Business, government and collegiate support: 

The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) is the largest of the U.S. Navy’s five “systems commands” with its headquarters located at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C.  NAVSEA’s primary objective is to engineer, build and support the Navy’s fleet of ships and combat systems. 

BAE Systems is a global company of advanced defense, security, and aerospace systems located in Washington, DC which engages in the development, delivery and support in the air, on land and sea.  It is the second-largest defense contractor in the United States.

The United States Naval Academy is an undergraduate college in Annapolis, Maryland that educates and commissions officer of the United States Navy and Marine Corps.  The academy’s mission is to develop Midshipmen morally, mentally and physically to instill them with the highest ideals of duty, honor and loyalty in order to graduate leaders who are dedicated to a career in the naval services.

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) coordinates, executes, and promotes the science and technology programs of the United States Navy and Marine Corps through schools, universities, government laboratories, and nonprofit and for-profit organizations. The Sea Perch program is part of ONR's National Naval Responsibility for Naval Engineering Outreach effort.

Society of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (SNAME) is to advance the art, science, and practice of naval architecture, shipbuilding and marine engineering. For over a century members have included commercial and governmental practitioners, students, and educators of naval architecture, shipbuilding, and marine and ocean engineering. SNAME has been tasked by ONR to research ways to expand and enhance the SeaPerch initiative.