Underwater robotics event set

The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas and Arkansas 4-H will host the 2023 Arkansas SeaPerch Challenge, an underwater robotics competition, on Friday at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Aquatic Center.

About 200 students will represent 61 teams from 12 counties. These include contestants from Benton, Boone, Grant, Howard, Madison, Miller, Newton, Perry, Pope, Saline, Union and Washington counties in Arkansas as well as two teams from Grenada, Miss., according to a news release.The SeaPerch is a remotely-operated submersible built from more than three dozen parts, including PVC pipe, pool noodles, three 12-volt motors and batteries.

The winner of the challenge will advance to the International SeaPerch Challenge on May 13 at the University of Maryland.

During the state challenge, teams must navigate their SeaPerch through obstacle courses and complete other tasks, such as moving plastic rings from one part of the course and successfully placing them to another part.

The goal is to ignite students’ interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM.) Competitors will use their SeaPerch robots to simulate ocean exploration and mapping, according to the release.

“Arkansas’ electric cooperatives are dedicated to providing STEM-based educational opportunities for Arkansas’ youth,” said Rob Roedel, director of corporate communications for the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas. “Our partnership with Arkansas 4-H has resulted in tremendous growth in this program that opens learning paths for the future leaders of our state.”

Details: 4h.uada.edu or seaperch.org/about.