What is SeaPerch?

SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students with the
resources they need to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) in an in-school or
out-of-school setting. Students build the ROV from a kit crised of low-cost, easily accessible parts,
following a curriculum that teaches basic engineering and science concepts with a marine
engineering theme. The SeaPerch Program provides students with the opportunity to learn about
robotics, engineering, science, and mathematics (STEM) while building an underwater ROV as part
of a science and engineering technology curriculum. Throughout the project, students will learn
engineering concepts, problem solving, teamwork, and technical applications.

Curriculum
The SeaPerch curriculum has been designed to meet many of the national learning standards
identified by the government, as well as to map to the new Common Core standards. With one
project, schools are able to teach many of the concepts required for their grade level using a fun,
hands-on activity for students. Some of the concepts the students learn during the build include:

● Ship and submarine design

● Buoyancy/displacement
● Propulsion
● Soldering/tool safety and usage
● Vectors
● Electricity/circuits and switches
● Ergonomics
● Waterproofing
● Depth measurement
● Biological sampling
● Attenuation of light
● Moment arm, basic physics of motion
● Career possibilities

Program Benefits
Meets National Learning Outcomes: The SeaPerch Program meets many of the national learning
outcomes for science, and maps to the Common Core Curriculum.

Supports Diversity: The program focuses on presenting the possibilities of technical careers to
minorities, girls, and underrepresented populations.

Low Cost Per Student: The cost of the kits is kept low to encourage participation. View current
pricing. If funds are an issue, programs may apply for small kit grants of up to five SeaPerch kits
and one tool kit. This funding is based on need, and grants are based on the availability of funding,
with Title 1 schools being given first consideration.

Web Resources & Community: The SeaPerch website provides resources, tools, information, and a
community.
The Story of SeaPerch
SeaPerch began as one project in a book entitled "How to Build an Underwater Robot," by Harry
Bohm and Vickie Jensen. There were many
projects in the book, and SeaPerch captured just
two pages, with a parts list and instructions on how
to assemble the vehicle. Years later, Professor
Thomas Consi at MIT developed a curriculum
around the SeaPerch as a way to grow the Ocean
Engineering Program at MIT. Seeing the
possibility of using SeaPerch to train teachers,
MIT’s Dr. Chryss Chrystostomedes sought funding
from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the
MIT Sea Grant office and began to train teachers
in the Boston area and beyond. Several years later,
The Society of Naval Architects and Marine
Engineers (SNAME) had the vision to utilize its
resources to manage the program and partnered
with The Office of Naval Research (ONR) to take the SeaPerch Program from what was essentially a
teacher-training program and develop it into a national K-12 STEM Outreach program. Through a
grant from ONR, SNAME created a program that could be national in scope, including creating a kit,
infrastructure, supporting materials, website, ordering and inventory mechanism, and a network of
individuals to help grow the program. The efforts began to take root, the program grew to include
almost all 50 states to date, and a national competition, the National SeaPerch Challenge, continues
to expand yearly.
Since 2011, SeaPerch program has been managed by RoboNation (The Association of Unmanned
Vehicle Systems International Foundation - AUVSIF), and continues to expand nationally.

2019 SeaPerch Challenge

The Obstacle Course tests high-speed maneuverability and requires your SeaPerch to navigate the
course as quickly as possible. The SeaPerch operator must develop the skill to turn and adjust the
vertical position (dive or ascend) while driving in full or near full speed and must also be able to
quickly reverse the SeaPerch to make corrections if it is off course. Please note: there is no guarantee
of the position of the obstacle course hoops at Regional Challenges or the 2019 SeaPerch Challenge,
so operators should not try to memorize actions such as in playing a video game but should instead
practice a variety of general high-speed maneuvers.

The Mission Course will incorporate a mission that teams must complete with their SeaPerch related
to a Rescue and Recovery Mission.

In Mission Rescue & Recovery, SeaPerch teams will be asked to assist with navigating a narrow
underwater cavern to transport important supplies and rescue an ROV that fell apart during an earlier
attempt at the course. The technical challenges included in this course will be:
 1. The Beacon: This task includes a light that indicates an ROV has entered the cave (ie. the
mission course). The beacon will contain a hall effect sensor that switches on an LED while a
magnet is sufficiently close to the sensor. Teams will have the option of momentarily turning
on the Beacon or switching the Beacon to “continuous on” mode for additional points.
a. To turn the Beacon on momentarily: SeaPerches will need to precisely maneuver and
place a magnet in range of the sensor and then move away.
b. To turn the Beacon on continuously: SeaPerches will need to leave a magnet near the
sensor.

2. The Vault: This task includes a gate securing the entry to an opening that must be traversed
in order to retrieve supply "canisters." Success at this task requires precision maneuvers to
unlatch the gate, descend through the vault entry, and the ability to lift and transport canisters
to another location on the course. Canisters will include weighted golf ball (1.68"diameter),
baseball (2.86" diameter), and softball sized (3.82" diameter) wiffleballs with rope loops
affixed.
3. The Staging Station: This task includes a platform and sockets designed to hold the canisters
retrieved from the Vault. The SeaPerch must maneuver into position and deposit canisters
either on the platform or in a socket. Depositing a canister in a socket will require a high
degree of maneuvering skill and will gain more points than depositing canisters on the
platform.
4. ROV Recovery: This task includes the collection and transportation of ROV parts from one
area on the course to a separate recovery area. This task requires skill in lifting or dragging
the ROV parts while maneuvering around structural hazards.

SeaPerch Parts List

Frame Subsystem
Part Description Qty Sample Vendor Sample Part #
PVC Pipe - 1/2" Schedule 40, 12" Long Pieces 6 Home Depot 193682
PVC 90 Degree Elbow - 1/2" Schedule 40 10 Home Depot 187968
PVC Tee - 1/2" Schedule 40 4 Home Depot 187909
Pool Noodle - 5" Piece 2 InYoPool NT240
Mesh - 12" x 8" - Black Polyethylene 1 McMaster-Carr 9314T33
Cable/Zip Ties - 6" Black 15 McMaster-Carr 7130K42
Cable/Zip - Motor Mount - 11-1/4" - Blue 6 McMaster-Carr 71295K78

Thrusters Subsystem
Part Description Qty Sample Vendor Sample Part #
12 Volt DC Motor, 740mA, 0.091" Shaft Diameter 3 Jameco Electronics 232022
Film Canister - 35 mm 3 Teachersource.com CAN-310
Plastic Propeller, 1/8" Shaft Size, 1-3/4" Blade
3 Graves RC DUM3003
Diameter
Propeller Shaft Threaded Coupler, 4-40 Thread 3 Graves RC DUB336
Threaded Insert Tee Nut, 4-40 Thread Size 3 McMaster-Carr 90975A002
Nylon-Insert Hex Locknut 4-40 - Stainless Steel 3 McMaster-Carr 91831A005
50 foot Cat 5e Stranded Cable with RJ-45 connector 1 MonoPrice 2329
Velcro Cable Tie 1 McMaster-Carr 6605K52

Controllers Subsystem
Part Description Qty Sample Vendor Sample Part #
Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 1 Custom
Enclosure w/Screws 1 Custom
Miniature Toggle Switch DPDT (ON)-OFF-(ON) 2 Digi-Key CKN1129-ND
Pushbutton Switch ON-(ON) SPDT, Right Angle 2 Mouser 107-3023-EVX
Switch Caps and Accessories .310" RN RD CAP 2 Digi-Key EG2598-ND
Modular Jack Connector 1 Digi-Key A31424-ND
Fuse Holder Radial PCB 1 Digi-Key 283-2356-ND
Fuse - 0.2" Radial Lead, 6.3A TE5 1 Digi-Key WK4366BK-ND
Alligator Clips (Set of 2) 1 Jameco 256525
Black Alligator Clip Insulator 1 Jameco 248962
Red Alligator Clip Insulator 1 Jameco 248972
18 Awg Speaker Wire - 6 foot long 1 MonoPrice 2795

Other Materials
Part Description Qty Sample Vendor Sample Part #
Sealed Lead Acid Battery - 12 VDC, 7 Ah 1 BatteryMart SLA-12V7-F1
12BC1000D-1-
Sealed Lead Acid Battery Charger - 12 VDC, 500 mA 1 BatteryMart
KT
Wax Bowl Ring 1 Home Depot 203763996
Solder - 60/40 Rosin Core 1 Jameco 170457
Butyl Rubber Tape - 1" x 1" 1 McMaster-Carr 76385A14
Alcohol Wipe 1 McMaster-Carr 54845T29
Electrical Tape - Black - Roll 1 McMaster-Carr 7619A11
Safety Glasses 1 McMaster-Carr 54185T601
Disposable Latex Gloves 1 McMaster-Carr 6072T2