More than 200 Students from 30 area high schools and middle schools descended on the Neptune Aquatic Center on April 1 for the annual SeaPerch New Jersey/New York Regional Competition.  

SeaPerch is an underwater robotics program that allows students to build an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The NJ/NY regional SeaPerch competition was led by Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst and supported by Navy Talent Acquisition Group Empire State and Neptune High School.  

“At NAWCAD Lakehurst we not only support the fleet today – we also prepare for the future. Programs like SeaPerch provide a unique opportunity to help with this even further by developing the next generation of STEM professionals who could one day be Navy engineers and scientists,” NAWCAD Lakehurst Executive Director Kathleen P. Donnelly said. “I’m proud that we can be a part of this event, and I look forward to seeing what these students do in the future.”   

The ROVs are tested in an underwater obstacle course and judged on speed, navigation, finesse, creativity and design. The program also includes a curriculum-based approach for basic design skills with a new theme and sets of competitions every year. In addition to the competition, the students submit a video presentation and technical design report and keep a notebook throughout the design process. The technical design report and video presentations are included in the team’s overall score. 

“It’s great to see the SeaPerch program continuing to thrive and grow after a brief disruption due to COVID-19 and having virtual events,” Haidy Oliveira, NAWCAD Lakehurst Education Outreach Coordinator, and NJ/NY Regional SeaPerch lead, said. “We want to educate students about different career field options, what engineers and scientists do, and the important role they could have as civilian or military members of the workforce.”  

Events like the one held in Neptune also raise awareness about the hundreds of federal labs and military bases worldwide where the students could someday work. 

“In New Jersey, we want our students to know they can have a job ‘right in their backyard’ with unimagined opportunities,” Oliveira added. “We can only continue and grow our regional event due to the amazing support we receive every year from the Neptune Aquatic Center, the Neptune High School JrROTC and the Navy Talent Acquisition Group Empire State.” 

The Manchester Middle School Shorebots2 Stock, Lacey High School Wall-E Underwater Stock, and Lacey High School No Directions Open teams earned spots at the international tournament on May 13 at the University of Maryland, representing the New Jersey/New York Region.  

Learn more about SeaPerch here.