The University of Rhode Island announced on March 30 that it will host the General Dynamics Electric Boat Rhode Island Competition for middle school students on April 1 at the Tootell Aquatic Center in Kingston.
The event brings together over 100 students from more than 30 teams, giving them a chance to test their underwater robots and learn about engineering and problem-solving. The competition aims to promote interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among young students by providing hands-on experience with robotics.
Students from Kickemuit Middle School in Warren, West Broadway Middle School in Providence, Jamestown School in Jamestown, Nathanael Greene Middle School in Providence, and DelSesto Middle School in Providence are expected to participate. Each team will operate a robot made from PVC pipes through an obstacle course set six feet underwater. Teams have two attempts to complete the obstacle course within four minutes and one attempt for a mission course with an eight-minute time limit.
The event is held in partnership with the University of Connecticut, SeaPerch, and General Dynamics Electric Boat. SeaPerch provides robotics kits to schools as part of its international program designed to introduce students and teachers to building underwater remote operated vehicles. The UConn-URI Navy STEM Coalition also supports the event through funding managed by General Dynamics Electric Boat under the ANCHOR contract funded by the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base Program.
Activities at the competition include an opening ceremony or welcome session followed by rotations for both courses before lunch and an award ceremony concluding the day.
