Back

Celebrating Innovation: Highlights from the 2024 International SeaPerch Challenge

Celebrating Innovation: Highlights from the 2024 International SeaPerch Challenge
From Christine Newell
Communications Coordinator, RoboNation

Keep tinkering, chase the ideas that you have in your head. No idea is a dumb idea, no ambition is too large. If something feels too large to accomplish, take it a step down, and work from there.

Duncan Lacey, Former SeaPerch Student and Current Volunteer

On May 31st and June 1st, 174 teams from around the globe gathered along with parents, mentors, volunteers, and staff for the annual International SeaPerch Challenge at the University of Maryland. Previously a one-day event, this year teams had an extra day to connect with each other, meet new people, build a community, and have more opportunities to gain hands-on-learning-experiences in the underwater robotics ROV competition.  

The two-day event was full of energy as students displayed everything they’ve learned and prepared for months; some teams have said they have even been preparing since the very beginning of the school year. The amount of determination and dedication these students brought to the pool deck this year has been inspiring. Many teams faced challenges and setbacks, but their spirits remained high and full of pride as they continued to complete their courses. 

Here are the Champions from the 2024 International SeaPerch Challenge: 

  • Middle School Class Champions from Mayport Middle School, Atlantic Beach, Florida – Team Anglerfish; 
  • High School Class Champions from River City Science Academy, Jacksonville, Florida – Aquarius; 
  • Open Class Champions from Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School – Atlantic Beach, Florida – Mayport Stingrays.

See the full results here.

Congratulations again to all our 174 teams and students from across the globe! The road to the 2024 International SeaPerch Challenge started with 83 regional competitions hosted within 32 U.S. states/territories and in 5 countries and across 4 continents. And of the 3,290 teams who participated in these regional events, roughly the top 5% advanced to the championship. What an amazing feat! At the two-day event, there were 878 students, 337 mentors, and at least 210+ spectators including more than 90 volunteers.

Reflecting on the event, Lindsey Groark, Vice President of Programs stated, “The competition was a phenomenal success. This event is an incredible opportunity to see what students of all ages are capable of and how they excel in putting their STEM knowledge and skills to practice with their ROV designs. These students consistently demonstrate impressive teamwork and solution-oriented mindsets that highlight the bright future of technological advancements.”

The competition was a phenomenal success. This event is an incredible opportunity to see what students of all ages are capable of and how they excel in putting their STEM knowledge and skills to practice with their ROV designs. These students consistently demonstrate impressive teamwork and solution-oriented mindsets that highlight the bright future of technological advancements.

Lindsey Groark, Vice President of Programs, RoboNation

A special thanks to NOAA’s Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute (OECI) for serving as the Title Sponsor for the 2024 International SeaPerch Challenge. Their support helped us bring a real-world theme alive for the competition as we dove into Deep Sea Exploration with a nod to hydrothermal vents. NOAA OECI helped us design the mission tasks, joined us onsite as volunteers, engaged with our students in Team Village, and more. 

We also would like to offer our appreciation to the Office of Naval Research for continuing to support the SeaPerch program each year and helping support numerous other RoboNation programs. We have been proud to call the University of Maryland, College Park home for the International SeaPerch Challenge since 2019. Thank you to all the staff and students for welcoming us on campus, you make our community feel so welcome.

We are so grateful for all those who helped in making this event happen. The SeaPerch 2024 Challenge kicked off our summer of competitions and it was a phenomenal event!  From the words of a former competitor and current volunteer, Duncan from Pampas, Florida, encourage all the students to “keep tinkering, chase the ideas that you have in your head. No idea is a dumb idea, no ambition is too large. If something feels too large to accomplish, take it a step down, and work from there.” We couldn’t agree more! We know that as one path closes, more opportunities open up. We are working hard to welcome all of you back in 2025. Keep tinkering and chase those ideas. 

We’ve heard lots of positive feedback and stories from teams, parents, and mentors. We’d love to hear more; reach out to us and share how the SeaPerch 2024 Challenge made an impact on you. 

Learn more about the 2024 International SeaPerch Challenge here.

Share your story with us: cnewell@robonation.org

Related News