Deploying SeaPerch Underwater Robotics – A Big Splash!

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(L-R) Kneeling: Jackson County 4-H Agent Angel Granger, Donovan Flynn, Ty Wise. Second Row: Keaton Meese, Chandler King. Third Row: Jay Crisp, Garrison Beach, Aaron Meese, Gage Bannerman, Anthony Lake, Elise Smith and Grant WilliamsThe Jackson County 4-H SeaPerch Robotics Day Camp, held at the UF/IFAS Jackson County Extension Office on July 8, 9 and 10, 2014 was a “Big Splash”! The new Underwater Robotics Program is sponsored in part by a grant from the Office of Naval Research (ONR), as well as donations from the local community and fund raising efforts.

The Jackson County 4-H SeaPerch Robotics Day Camp, held at the UF/IFAS Jackson County Extension Office on July 8, 9 and 10, 2014 was a “Big Splash”!

The new Underwater Robotics Program is sponsored in part by a grant from the Office of Naval Research (ONR), as well as donations from the local community and fund raising effortsThis three day camp introduced the 4-H youth to the SeaPerch ROV (remotely operated vehicle), from the, “pvc pipe up”! The youth constructed their ROV’s, soldered the circuit boards, built the motors, and installed the remote controls. Once completed, they were ready to “swim their ROV’s” in a SeaPerch Challenge!

You may be wondering how the ROV’s could “swim” at the Extension Office! Well, thanks to Holmes County 4-H Agent Niki Crawson, who volunteered the use of her pool, and her help with soldering, on the first day of camp, eleven new 4-H youth, experienced this innovative new program!

Jackson County 4-H would like to thank Bay State Cable Ties LLC, for the donation of a case of zip ties and Dr. Carla Hubbard, DVM, for sponsoring a SeaPerch kit. We especially thank Holmes County 4-H Agent Niki Crawson, for her time and loan of her pool, as well as the Jackson County 4-H Program Assistant Ms. Patti Peacock, and Jackson County 4-H volunteers, Mrs. Dawn Lake and Mr. Carl Strohmenger for their work during the camp, and Ms. Marilyn Lipford for getting the pool set up and filled with water!

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Jackson County 4-H Volunteer Dawn Lake, assists Elise Smith with the cutting of the pvc pipe used to build her SeaPerch ROV.

With the award of the grant from the Office of Naval Research, and other donations, the Jackson County 4-H Program is continuing to grow with the addition of these new youth and the creation of a new year-round 4-H Club that will begin to meet in September. This new club will introduce the exciting SeaPerch curriculum through the process of hands-on learning while incorporating one of the nation’s primary focuses – STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The club will be led by Mr. Tony Walker, a retired professional electrical engineer, and Mrs. Betsy Willett, who is an Administrative Assistant for the Panhandle Public Library Cooperative System.

In order to expand the program to additional Jackson County 4-H Youth, we are seeking monetary donations to purchase additional kits and other items such as pipe cutters, drills, and soldering irons. If you are interested in helping support this educational program, please contact Angel Granger, Jackson County 4-H Agent at (850) 482-9620 or email agranger@ufl.edu.

To learn more about the successful SeaPerch program sponsored by the Office of Naval Research, please view the website at http://www.seaperch.org. We are sure you will find the program exciting and a wonderful component to add to Jackson County 4-H!

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Posted: July 18, 2014


Category: 4-H & Youth



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