FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RoboNation Celebrates Top Student Teams at the 2026 International SeaPerch Challenge
COLLEGE PARK, MARYLAND – RoboNation welcomed a record 210 student teams from six countries, Puerto Rico, and across the United States to the 2026 International SeaPerch Challenge, held May 30–31 at the University of Maryland, College Park.
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.
The International SeaPerch Challenge is a culminating event for students who spent the year designing, building, testing, and refining 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 brought together students from Egypt, China, Kazakhstan, Kenya, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, and the United States for two days of underwater robotics competition, student innovation, and community celebration.
“SeaPerch gives students the opportunity to move beyond the walls of the classroom and experience what engineering feels like in practice,” said Julianna Smith, the Director Program Operations at RoboNation.
Teams competed across multiple divisions and challenge areas designed to test vehicle performance, technical skill, teamwork, and student innovation. At the conclusion of the event, RoboNation recognized top teams for their outstanding performance, creativity, perseverance, and sportsmanship.
Competition Champions:
- Middle School Class Champion: Megalodons, Mayport Costal Sciences Middle School (Atlantic Beach, Florida)
- High School Class Champion: Stingrays, Duval County Public Schools (Jacksonville, Florida)
- Open Class Champion: Anglerfish, Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School (Atlantic Beach, Florida)
Additional special awards recognized teams that embodied the spirit of SeaPerch beyond the competition pool.
- Sportsmanship Award: Storm Chasers from Hearts Homeschool Robotics (Pascagoula, Mississippi)
- Resiliency and Grit Award: BASA Team 3 from The Boynton Aerospace Science Academy (Boynton Beach, Florida)
- Ingenuity Award: Subatomic Submarines from Naperville SeaPerch (Naperville, Illinois)
- Community and Outreach Award: PB & Jellyfish from Manvel Junior High Warriors SeaPerch (Manvel, Texas)
“The future of STEM is already here,” said Cheryl Hedeen, the Director of Program Development at RoboNation. “You can see it in the students troubleshooting their vehicles, cheering for their teammates, supporting other teams, and realizing that they have the skills to build something that works. Those moments are where confidence, curiosity, and career pathways begin to take shape.”
For further information, please contact Alicia Gavin at agavin@robonation.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
