Hanes Students Build Underwater Robots

On Saturday April 28, students at Hanes Magnet School will running final tests on the underwater robots that they built with help from students and professors at Wake Forest University.

A grant from a U.S. Navy program called SeaPerch made it possible for Hanes students to work with Wake Forest students and professors to build underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) from kits. From 9 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, they will test the robots in the pool in Reynolds Gym on the Wake Forest campus.

Members of the public are welcome to come see what they have done. 

SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students with the resources they need to build an 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. SeaPerch provides students with the opportunity to learn about robotics, engineering, science, and mathematics (STEM) while building a ROV as part of a science and engineering technology curriculum. Throughout the project, students will learn engineering concepts, problem solving, teamwork, and technical applications.

Building a SeaPerch ROV teaches basic skills in ship and submarine design and encourages students to explore naval architecture and marine and ocean engineering principles. It also teaches basic science and engineering concepts and tool safety and technical procedures. Students learn important engineering and design skills and are exposed to all the exciting careers that are possible in naval architecture and naval, ocean, and marine engineering.

One of the most important aspects of SeaPerch, and one that differentiates it from similar programs, is that it includes training for teachers.

After the SeaPerch robot is constructed, students are encouraged to test their vehicles, deploy them on missions.

For more information about the event on Saturday, get in touch with Andrew Kraft at Hanes Magnet School. His email is aakraft@wsfcs.k12.nc.us  His phone number is 336.399.6364. 

For more information about SeaPerch go to www.seaperch.org