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E xcitement continues to build for the Fourth Annual National SeaPerch Challenge, as 2014 will see the largest group of SeaPerch com- petitors ever to assemble and compete for the title of National Champion. Hosted by the Mississippi Regional SeaPerch Committee, this year’s na- tional competition will be held at the University of Southern Mississippi (Southern Miss) in Hattiesburg, MS, on Saturday May 17, 2014. Here, more than 100 middle and high school teams from all over the country will come together for a weekend of learning, sharing, competing and fun. The teams scheduled to be in Missis- sippi have earned the right to compete against their peers on the national stage by winning at the regional level. Registered participants and spectators will be treated to the “college experi- ence,” as the entire weekend’s activi- ties, including Friday night’s ice cream cocial and Saturday’s in-pool and poster competition events as well as the awards Banquet, dorm room accommodations and meals through Sunday morning, will be available for all on the pictur- esque Southern Miss. campus. What is SeaPerch? SeaPerch is the innovative K-12 un- derwater robotics program, sponsored by the Offi ce of Naval Research (ONR) and managed by the Association of Un- manned Vehicle Systems International Foundation (AUVSIF), that trains teach- ers and group leaders to inspire their students to build their own Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) following an academic curriculum consistent with national learning standards supporting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects with a marine engineering-based theme. The program promotes hands-on learning of engineering and scientifi c concepts, problem solving, teamwork and critical thinking, and introduces students to potential and rewarding ca- reer opportunities in naval architecture, marine, ocean and naval engineering. “With guidance afforded by AUVSIF and with ONR’s commitment to SeaP- erch, we have grown exponentially, reaching more than 153,000 students to date,” said Susan Nelson, Executive Di- rector of SeaPerch. Currently more than 12,200 teachers and mentors are com- Education: SeaPerch U. of Southern Mississippi site for Fourth National SeaPerch Challenge – Underwater Robotic Championships – 24 MTR April 2014 MTR #3 (18-33).indd 24 4/9/2014 9:43:28 AM
