SeaPerch Program
What is SeaPerch?
SeaPerch is a national Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) educational initiative supported by the United States Office of Naval Research and administered by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International with a strong Philadelphia-area educational presence. SeaPerch began is a rapidly-growing national program, with Philadelphia serving as a regional hub.
Started five years ago, The Greater Philadelphia SeaPerch Challenge engages 2,000 students from 100 regional middle and high schools that design, build and compete their underwater remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) during a two-day competition at Drexel University. Events at the Challenge can include:
- Vehicle performance - maneuvering and recovery
- Innovative design (optional)
- Team presentations - oral presentations to judges
- Design
- Notebooks - document planning, design, construction, testing and learning
- Team spirit and sportsmanship at the event
The winning team will advance to the national competition and compete against other regional SeaPerch Challenge winners from 35 participating states (over 15,000 students nationally).
For more information about SeaPerch, visit the National SeaPerch website.
What does the Seaport Museum offer?
Independence Seaport Museum believes SeaPerch presents an engaging platform for developing student interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematical fields. The Museum is committed to furthering  SeaPerch program initiatives in the Philadelphia area, and will serve as a mentoring, assembly, education, and testing facility. In addition to mentoring several teams participating in the 2013 SeaPerch Challenge, the Museum will provide a testing tank which any team participating in this year’s challenge can use for competition practice. Outside of the 2013 Challenge, the Seaport Museum is also committed to supporting youth teams, including boy and girl scout groups, interested in building SeaPerch units for educational purposes.
SeaPerch teams interested in using the Museum's tank, or learning more about our program support, should contact Education Coordinator Olivia Thomas at (215) 413-8630 or groupsales@phillyseaport.org. Visits must be scheduled in advance.
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