Students from two of the Territory's schools traveled to Baton Rouge, Louisiana May 19-23 to compete in the 6th National SeaPerch Challenge held at Louisiana State University. This year’s competition brought together approximately 200 registered teams, with participants from as far as Australia, the Cayman Islands and Puerto Rico.
Caribbean Splash of Elena Christian Jr. High and Rays Aquabotics of Ivanna E. Kean High School represented the Virgin Islands at the week-long competition and gained an experience of a lifetime. Although the students did not capture a win in any of the three categories, their success is grounded in their effort and their determination to revisit their projects, re-calculate, re-design, and re-enter next year’s competition.
The National Seaperch Challenge was comprised of middle school, high school and open class categories. In each category, teams completed an obstacle course, which was a timed event that required them to maneuver the underwater ROVs through a series of rings with the best time winning that category. Additionally, each team participated in an ORB Challenge, which required them to maneuver the underwater ROVs to release and capture various sized balls carrying their own weight in points. Each category had a designated amount of time to complete the assignments. A poster competition was also included in the students' experience. They were required to produce electronic submissions of posters that presented a detailed explanation of their Seaperch experiences.
State STEM Director Mrs. Shamika Williams-Henley traveled with the teams and expressed her pride in the students’ remarkable display of diligence. Mrs. Williams-Henley, on behalf of the entire Virgin Islands Department of Education, offered heartfelt congratulations to students Malachi Benjamin, Trey Francis, Gavin Douglas, Letisha Ayala and Sulaiman Donaie of Caribbean Splash; and Craig Dawson Jr., Antonio Christopher, Taevion Calixte, Ian Jacques and Ryan Gabriel of Rays Aquabotics. Mrs. Williams-Henley is also encouraging more students to become involved in STEAM activities stating that wonderful opportunities, such as Seaperch, awaits them. Advisors Mrs. Carolyn Fraser of the Rays Aquabotics and Mr. Steve Bullock of Caribbean Splash traveled with the teams.
To learn more about the National SeaPerch Challeng, go here.