International Student Teams Converge on College Park, MD for the International SeaPerch Challenge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

International Student Teams Converge on College Park, MD for the International SeaPerch Challenge

More than 200 student teams will gather at the University of Maryland, College Park for RoboNation’s global underwater robotics competition.

COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND –  RoboNation will welcome 210 student teams from six countries and 30 U.S. states and territories to the 2026 International SeaPerch Challenge, taking place May 30–31 at the University of Maryland, College Park.

The International SeaPerch Challenge is the culminating event for students who have spent the year designing, building, and testing remotely operated underwater vehicles, also known as ROVs. Through the SeaPerch program, students gain hands-on experience in engineering, robotics, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication while exploring real-world applications in marine technology and STEM.

This year’s competition will bring together students from across the United States and around the world, including teams from Egypt, Kazakhstan, Kenya, New Zealand, China, Puerto Rico, and the United States. For many students, the event represents not only their first major robotics competition, but also their first experience on a university campus.

“SeaPerch gives students the opportunity to move beyond the walls of the classroom and experience what engineering feels like in practice,” said Alicia Gavin, Director of Communications and Marketing at RoboNation. “SeaPerch students represent the future. They are a reminder that the next generation workforce is driven and talented.”

During the two-day event, teams will compete in a series of underwater robotics challenges designed to test vehicle performance, technical skill, and student innovation. 

The SeaPerch program is designed to make robotics education accessible to students across a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and communities. Using an approachable underwater ROV platform, SeaPerch introduces students to core engineering concepts while helping educators bring hands-on STEM learning into classrooms, after-school programs, clubs, and community organizations.

“Every year, SeaPerch reminds us that the future of STEM is already here,” said Gavin. “You can see it in the students troubleshooting their vehicles, cheering for their teammates, and realizing that they are capable of building something that works in the real world.”

The 2026 International SeaPerch Challenge will be held May 30–31, 2026, at the University of Maryland, College Park. The event will include student competitions, exhibitor engagement, volunteer support, and opportunities for families, educators, and community members to experience student robotics in action.

For more information about the International SeaPerch Challenge, visit seaperch.org.

About RoboNation: 

RoboNation, a nonprofit organization, is on a mission to provide hands-on robotics education, empowering students to tackle global challenges. With a portfolio of nine educational programs spanning K-12 and university levels, RoboNation cultivates the next generation of engineers, manufacturers, fabricators, programmers, and more. Participants in RoboNation programs represent the highly skilled workforce of tomorrow. Learn more at robonation.org.

Media Contact: 

Alicia Gavin
Director of Communications and Marketing, RoboNation
Email: agavin@robonation.org
Phone: 571-455-4156