Mister Roboto

Local student part of winning robotics team

Three middle school students from Broward County, one of them from Coral Springs, recently teamed up to win a national robotics competition, beating competitors from different corners of the country.

Sunrise resident Hayden Hawes, along with Giovanni Agovino of Coral Springs, and Michele D’ Aquino of Davie, members of the Broward County 4-H Team “Mach 3,” became eligible to participate in the 7th National SeaPerch Underwater Robotics Championships, which was held at Georgia Tech Research Institute, after they won the qualifying competition at Florida Atlantic University. At the national event, they finished first overall in the middle school division of the competition.

The three students were recognized at a Coral Springs City Commission meeting. “It was a great experience for all of us,” said Giovanni. “Michael is into technology, Hayden loves aquatics and I love learning about robots We learned a lot and it will definitely help us in the future.”

The SeaPerch robotics program, which has the long-term goal of creating future STEM professionals, equips teachers and students with the resources they need to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). More than 200 student teams comprised of regional winners from middle and high schools as well as from 4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, home schoolers, and other groups attended the national event. There were winners in the middle school and high school categories.

As part of the competition, members of the Broward County 4-H Team “Mach 3” team tested their vehicle, navigated an obstacle course and competed in various challenges before coming out on top. The team also presented their understanding of engineering principles and design concepts through an engineering notebook.

It is not the first time that the three students are being felicitated for their performance. At a meeting in May, the Davie Town Council recognized the team for winning the FAU South Florida Regional Qualifier Tournament.