SeaPerch

SeaPerch: a unique teaching tool for Alaska's educators

Recognized statewide for its collaborative, hands-on inquiry-driven learning experiences in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), JEDC/STEM AK conducts professional development workshops to prepare teachers in the construction and use of SeaPerch Underwater Remote Operated Vehicles in their classrooms. SeaPerch introduces students in grades 4-12 to the wonders of underwater robotics by building and operating real ROV's. To date, STEM AK has trained more than 150 teachers statewide and has supplied over 1,600 classroom kits to students.

SeaPerch Teacher Professional Development Workshops

SeaPerch Teacher Professional Development workshops are an opportunity for teachers to learn how to build a SeaPerch Remote Controlled Vehicle (ROV) and the underlying science and engineering concepts, as well as to network with like-minded peers who are interested in bringing science and technology concepts to the classroom using real-world, hands-on examples. Workshops are open to teachers in 4th-12th grades, as well as home school educators and leaders from youth organizations like Scouting, 4-H, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

STEM AK staff hold workshops across the state of Alaska. Information on workshop fees can be obtained by contacting STEM AK. Fees for travel to the workshops and lodging are not provided. One UAA credit (ED 580) is available (see below).

The daily schedule for the workshops can be found here.

For more information about SeaPerch workshops or to arrange for or inquire about a workshop in your area, contact Bob Vieth at 907-523-2342, rvieth@jedc.org.

UAA Credit Option

Course: SeaPerch: Hands-on Underwater Engineering Curriculum for Educators

Course Number/Section: ED 580.105        CRN: No Section Currently Scheduled
Instructor: Bob Vieth, STEM Education Specialist, JEDC-STEMAK
Registration Deadline: 
Deadline for Submission of Materials: 

Teachers who complete the SeaPerch Teacher Training Course are eligible to earn one ED580.102 continuing ed credit from the PACE office at UAA. The course has the following requirements:

  • completion of the SeaPerch hands-on training workshop (~16 contact hours),
  • submission of a lesson plan describing how you intend to incorporate SeaPerch in your classroom. You may use one of the following formats:
         Understanding by Design (Wiggins and McTighe),
         5-E Learning Cycle Method (Bybee),
         Alaska Science Consortium Learning Cycle Model,
  • Submit three articles/references on the real-world application of ROVs in the aquatic environment.

To register for the course, download and follow the instructions found below:
     UAA On-line Registration

For a paper registration form, click here. Note that payment must be made on-line.

Also please be sure to fill out the course evaluation form and mail it to UAA.

Resources
Understanding by Design in a Nutshell
UBD 3-page Template

Science Learning Experiences using the 5-E Learning Cycle
The 5-E Learning Cycle Model

The ASC Learning Cycle Model Explained
Learning Cycle Lesson Plan Format

Purchasing SeaPerch ROV Classroom Build Kits

STEM AK is no longer providing subsidized kits to AK classrooms due to budgetary considerations. Kits may be ordered from the national SeaPerch organization here. STEM AK will continue to provide technical support and advice on classroom curiculum, as well as training for the SeaPerch build.

How Many Kits Should I Order?
Ideally, it would be great for each student to have their own kit to build and take home. Less than ideal, but still preferable, would be to have a kit for two students to ensure that each student enjoys the full engineering experience the SeaPerch build has to offer. But given the reality of the cost of the kits this year, a kit for every two students may not be possible. Here is a possible alternative:

Order a kit for a group of six students. As you know, students have different strengths- some may be good at electronics, some at cutting and assembly of the frame, and some at waterproofing the motors. Pair the students off and give each pair a portion of the build. One pair does frame assembly, one pair does thruster preperation, and one pair works on the control box. The pairs can be working siultaneously and they all come together at the end for final assembly and  ballasting/testing. Alternatively, spread the build over a period of time with one pair working on the build, and have the other two pairs working on some aspect of science and engineering related to ROV's in the real world. Here are some examples of supporting concurrent activities.

  • Use of ROV's for exploring, search and recovery, capping oil wells, ship hull inspections, scientific research.
  • Different designs of ROV's
  • Autonomous Underwater Vehicles and Underwater Gliders
  • ROV's in the news
  • ROV project presentations
  • The science of the centers of gravity and buoyancy
  • ROV design modifications
  • ROV sensor platforms
  • Explore Careers in Marine Architecture and Ocean Engineering

​What do I do with my ROV's Now? The kids do not want them.
So you have spent all that money and time on getting your students to build their ROVs. Hopefully, they had fun and learned along the way, but now they don't seem to have any interest in them. Also, you do not want to have these just collecting dust in some garage. Afetr all, these are valuable robots! Here are three suggestions:

  1. Take them apart and use them again for your SeaPerch program next year. You may need to order a few replacement parts from STEMAK, but that should not be a problem. The downside to this option is that next years' students will miss out on some of the fundaementals of building the ROVs, like measuring and cutting the PVC, soldering, and waterproofing the motors.

  2. Donate the ROVs. Maybe your school has an ocean sciences class, or some other science/technology class that would find them useful. Donate some to Boy/Girl Scouts, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, 4-H: all organizations with small budgets looking for new and exciting things for their members.

  3. Take them apart, throw all the pieces in a box, and start a classroom, after school, or summer activity called Super SeaPerch. Let the kids' imaginations really run wild as they design some out-of-the-box underwater ROVs.

Our Impact to Date in Alaska
        As of October 1, 2012:
          # of teachers trained - 155
          # of kits shipped to schools - 1,600
          # of students served - ~5,400

SeaPerch Documents and Resources

SeaPerch in the News

ROV News