Robertsdale High School's 1st SeaPerch team heading to internationals

By Jessica Vaughn
Education Editor
jessica@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 6/1/22

ROBERTSDALE — Last year, Robertsdale High School’s NJROTC program did not have a SeaPerch team. This year, the first RHS SeaPerch team is heading to internationals. SeaPerch is a remotely …

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Robertsdale High School's 1st SeaPerch team heading to internationals

Posted

ROBERTSDALE — Last year, Robertsdale High School’s NJROTC program did not have a SeaPerch team.
This year, the first RHS SeaPerch team is heading to internationals.
SeaPerch is a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The program opens the doors for students to learn about robotics, engineering, science and mathematics as they work together to build their underwater ROV. The program combines basic engineering, design and science concepts into a hands-on project that allows students to use critical thinking skills, collaboration and creativity.
“At the beginning of this school year, we decided we wanted to get into SeaPerch,” said 1st Sgt Charles Aguilar, NJROTC instructor at RHS. “So around October, we started pushing SeaPerch. Once we had a team, I registered us to compete, which we went out and they did extremely well.”
Five students make up the school’s first team: Team Captain Victoria Burkhardt, Gavin Brannon, Austin Prather, David McCarn and Bryce Simmons.

The team’s first competition was the Mississippi Gulf Coast SeaPerch ROV Competition, hosted by the University of Southern Mississippi School of Ocean Science and Engineering on March 5. RHS’s team placed third overall.
The second annual Alabama SeaPerch ROV Competition, hosted by Discovery Hall Programs, was held on March 12. The team from RHS took what they had learned from their first competition and made adjustments.
They placed first overall and first in the obstacle and mission courses. The competition was so fierce, RHS won by a one point lead.
The win was more than just a trophy. It also qualified them to compete in the International SeaPerch Challenge taking place June 4 - 5.
To get to this point, the team has had to overcome some unique obstacles. Namely, securing a practice space.
Early practices were held in a horse trough at the school. It was roughly two feet high and five feet wide, but the students worked with what they had. At least until Commander Frank Starr, NJROTC instructor at RHS, found out. He talked to a friend who owns a swimming pool, and soon the students were invited over to spend several hours practicing in the pool.
“While we were there we did the basics,” said Brannon. “We had two robots, and we figured out which one we liked best and stuck with that one for a while until we were able to modify it. We put some obstacle courses in the pool for practice, and we’d take turns driving the robot to see who’s best at driving and navigating. Because of everything we’ve put into practice, it made perfect.”
Before ever heading to a competition, the team must write a report and give an overall review of how they developed their ROV, how it works, each team member’s individual jobs and how they perform them, and an essay on everything they’ve accomplished.
Competition days begin with an appliance check, where the modified robots are checked to ensure they are up to standard. Then it’s on to the mission and obstacle courses. Afterwards comes the long wait to hear the awards announced.
SeaPerch teams can have three to eight team members, giving RHS the opportunity to grow in the future.
“We’re enthusiastic about being the first team to do this at the school,” said Prather. “One of our goals is to expand the team itself, and hopefully have more than one team.”
Team members can have one main job or multiple roles. Jobs include driving the robots, navigating, maintenance, essay writing, team promotion, research and development and more.
Aside from competition and engineering, the team is also active in community service. At the time of the interview, team members had put in 284 hours of community service, including volunteering at The Lighthouse, the Post, the American Legion, the Baldwin County Special Olympics and participating in flag retirement ceremonies.
“What we have accomplished, in my opinion, that has helped us make it to internationals is how much practice we’ve put into this,” said Brannon. “This is only our first year in SeaPerch. Going into our first competition I wasn’t expecting us to come in third place and eventually go to nationals. And now, because of our hard work and dedication, we’re going to internationals.”