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Students Release Underwater Robots Poolside

 

Students from area schools took their underwater robots poolside on Saturday afternoon for a trial run before the competition coming up on Earth Day.

Students ranged from elementary age to high schoolers, and came from schools in Alpena, Alcona, Atlanta and Stockridge, Michigan. The students took their robots to the pool’s edge and dropped them in, navigating the bots from the sidelines to complete underwater missions. Saturday’s mission was built around a theoretical shipping crate transportation pipeline, that engineers are considering building in real life.

“What we’re trying to do is figure out what things they would need to make this, and this is maybe repair or other things you need to do to the pipeline to help fix it or make sure it’s going smoothly and flowing,” says AHS student Josh Beatty.

Josh says not only is this great experience if he chooses to pursue engineering, but its also a way to attract future employers who look for real life experience with problem solving which students got today. It also can introduce students to a field that keeps them local when they start thinking about college.

“I think this is a great opportunity. We know S.T.E.M. education is really important, so this is a great opportunity for students to put that into practice. And of course we have right here in Alpena, Alpena Community College has a Marine Technology Program. So if these students become interested in pursuing this type of education, they can choose to do so right here in our community,” says NOAA Education Coordinator Sarah Waters.

The students are preparing for a regional competition that’s coming up on April 22nd, or Earth Day this year.