Close to 600 students from around the region showed their skills developing underwater robotics during the annual New Jersey/ New York Regional SeaPerch Program competition at the Neptune Aquatic Center on April 13.  

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

“The engineers, logisticians and artisans at NAWCAD Lakehurst support the fleet today while also preparing for the future. Programs like SeaPerch are a chance for us to help develop the next generation of STEM professionals who could one day be the Navy personnel tasked with helping move the fleet forward,” NAWCAD Lakehurst Acting Executive Director Jack Martenak said. “It’s great to see so many students taking part in the program, and I’m so proud that we can be a part of helping these students pursue their passions and their dreams.” 

During the event the students used 3-D printers and ROV kits to design the vehicles and navigate them through obstacles to test their design skills and problem-solving abilities, giving the students a chance to see the work the Navy does every daily.  

In addition to the competition, the students also learn more about the field through a curriculum-based approach. All the teams submit a video presentation and technical design report of their work, in addition to keeping a notebook during the design process. The report and video are included in the team’s overall score.  

Four of the teams from the Neptune competition will go to the international competition including the first place Lacey High School BAArden Bellas, 2nd Place Colts Neck HS Marlins, the Lacey High School Diplodocus Divers, and the Manchester Middle School Lobsters. 

“Education Outreach looks forward to this big event every year, and being able to reach a large group of students, teachers and parents from the New Jersey and New York area,” NAWCAD Lakehurst Educational Outreach Coordinator Haidy Oliveira said. “I appreciate being able to grow the SeaPerch program every year and continue to expand our STEM outreach.” 

The winning teams from the competition were: 

High School Stock 

• 1st Place Lacey High School BAArden Bellas 
• 2nd Place Colts Neck HS Marlins 
• 3rd Place Staten Island High School Special Operations 

High School Open 

• 1st Place Staten Island High School Seagulls 
• 2nd Place Lacey High School Diplodocus Divers 
• 3rd Place Curtis High School ROTC 

Middle School Stock 

• 1st Place Manchester Middle School Lobsters 
• 2nd Place Manchester Middle School Urchins 
• 3rd Place Joseph B. Cavallaro IS281 Bull Frogs 

SeaPerch is one of several Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education outreach programs supported by NAWCAD Lakehurst. Other programs include capstone projects at the university level and scholarship programs to increase student interest in STEM fields at the middle school, high school, and college levels. Students can also learn more about the work done at Lakehurst through hosted tours of its labs, test sites, and manufacturing facilities.