2025 USM Regional SeaPerch Challenge
Come Explore The Ocean With Us!
SeaPerch Challenge
SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students
with the resources they need to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (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. The SeaPerch Program provides
students with the opportunity to learn about robotics, engineering, science, and mathematics
(STEM) while building an underwater 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.
Developed skills include:
- Teamwork, creative problem-solving, and real-life applications
- Ocean science concepts such as buoyancy and displacement
- Underwater vehicle design principles and tooling
- Engineering concepts such as propulsion, waterproofing, electricity, circuits, and switches
Free Blue Tech Field Day
March 28, 2025 | April 26, 2025 | May 16, 2025
This FREE blue tech day is for high school students who are interested in in marine
science
and engineering. Students will get to experience the various uses of ocean technology
and the many careers in blue tech!
2024 SeaPerch Competition Season
This 2024 season theme is Deep-Sea Exploration in partnership with NOAA Ocean Exploration and the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI). Participating teams will design and compete ROVs in a simulated exploration effort
including retrieving and transporting deep sea samples and deploying temperature sensors in the underwater environment.
The below information applies to USM's 2024 Regional SeaPerch Challenge, which is an annual qualifying event that awards allocated team slots from the Mississippi Gulf Coast Region for the annual International SeaPerch Competition hosted at the University of Maryland on May 31 - June 1, 2024.
2024 Regional Competition Details
USM's Regional SeaPerch Challenge will be hosted at the Biloxi Natatorium Pool on Saturday, March 9th 2024. Registration for the 2024 USM Regional SeaPerch Challenge has closed.
Competition Guidelines
This year's USM Regional SeaPerch Challenge will include all four required events (obstacle course, mission course, technical design report, and meet the team). Of note, the International Challenge requires all qualifying teams to compete in four events (obstacle course, mission course, technical design report, and meet the team) and two optional events (real-world innovation poster and community outreach). These competition resources are based off of the 2024 International SeaPerch Challenge, the timing and rules for USM's Regional SeaPerch Challenge will be slightly different and will be communicated with teams ahead of time. More resources can be found below:
Build Resources
Competition Resources
- Competition Classes Overview
- Competition classes depend on modifications made to ROV.
- ROV Compliance Checklist
- All teams need to ensure that their ROV is in compliance in order to compete.
- Pool Courses Overview and Preliminary Rules
- Technical Design Report Instructions
- Meet the Team
- While this is a required event, this is not a scored event.
Optional International Competition Resources
2024 USM Regional SeaPerch Challenge
Saturday, March 9, 2024
Check-in: TBA | Challenge: TBA
Biloxi Natatorium
1384 Father Ryan Avenue
Biloxi, Mississippi
228.688.3177
Frequently Asked Questions
The SeaPerch Program provides students with the opportunity to learn about robotics, engineering, science, and mathematics while building an underwater ROV as part of a science and engineering technology curriculum. Throughout the project, students learn engineering concepts, problem solving, teamwork, and technical applications.
Grades of students building SeaPerch:
- Middle School (Grades 5-8)
- High School (Grades 9-12)
For this regional competition, there is a maximum of 8 students per team.
SeaPerch ROV kits are available for purchase on the SeaPerch/Robonation site.
Yes, there is a limit of 3 teams per school.