Louisiana Tech University welcomed middle and high school students from across the region for the third annual SeaPerch Challenge at the Lambright Sports and Wellness Center on Friday, March 6. The competition, which challenges students to design, build, and maneuver underwater remote-operated vehicles through an obstacle course, saw participation from 56 teams and 160 individuals involved overall.
The event was a collaborative effort between Louisiana Tech, the SCILS Region 8 LASTEM Center, the Science and Technology Education Center (SciTEC), the Department of Defense, RoboNation, and Louisiana State University.
“It’s amazing how the SeaPerch program has expanded across Region 8,” Cathi Cox-Boniol, director of SCILS Region 8 LASTEM Center, said. “Through these partnerships, we are able to offer supplies to teachers and schools at no cost. That also goes for the trainings we host, taught by Kim Kaufman from Louisiana State University.”
Students demonstrated their engineering and programming skills in the Lambright pool, guiding their remote-operated vehicles through tasks designed to simulate real-world underwater exploration challenges. The competition emphasized not only technical ability but also creativity, teamwork, and adaptability.
For some programs, this event was their first introduction to robotics. Jana Bennett, Caldwell Parish 4-H Agent, emphasized the importance of integrating these activities into programs, even if teachers and program leaders are not familiar with the activity.
“SeaPerch has been a great opportunity for our students to expand their STEM knowledge,” Bennett said. “Since 4-H is a youth-led organization, this gives our students the independence to do something on their own. Our parish doesn’t have many opportunities for robotics, but with the help of SCILS, SciTEC, and other parishes, we have been able to provide supplies and training for our students to participate in events such as this.”
AnnaBeth Strickland, Old Bethel Christian Academy Robotics team member, mentioned the teamwork and leadership she learned throughout training for SeaPerch.
“Our robotics team had so much fun learning about the SeaPerch Challenge and the different obstacles,” Strickland said. “We already had a great teamwork ethic established, but putting it into practice with the instructions, building, and remote navigation gave us more foundation to work together to do our best in the contest.”
Looking ahead, SCILS and SciTEC will host summer trainings where teachers have the opportunity to build a SeaPerch rover, giving them a hands-on experience that they can take back to their students.
“Our first SeaPerch summer camp will be facilitated this year by our three-time SeaPerch Championship team, Downsville Community Charter School and their coach Scott Wood,” Cox-Boniol said. “This further demonstrates how the program continues to impact more people across our area as we provide robust opportunities for STEM enhancement and success.”
Visit the SeaPerch website for more information about the challenge, or learn more about the SCILS Region 8 LASTEM Center via the College of Education and Human Sciences.