Junior high MATE ROV competition attracts 26 schools to MI
The Marine Institute (MI) welcomed junior high participants from across the province to the Marine Advanced Technology Education Centre (MATE) Remotely Operated Vehicle Scout competition on April 15 and 16
Tuesday, April 19, 2011Watch the event unfold on our Youtube Channel.
Twenty-six teams took part in the event, with Botwood Collegiate, Clarenville Middle School and Lewisporte Intermediate earning earning top honours. All the teams received a certificate of participation and were encouraged to continue their interest in remotely operated vehicles. “The most important aspect of this event was for the junior high students to have fun and use the occasion as a learning experience. Remotely operated vehicles are exciting to work with and we wanted all the students to enjoy the event while learning more about ROVs,” said Glenn Blackwood, executive director, Marine Institute. “It also provided students a chance to meet new people with similar interests while providing an opportunity to learn more about MI and our ROV programs.”
Praise from teachers
The theme of the event was to highlight the role ROVs play in the offshore oil and gas industry, with a focus on the challenges faced during the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The mission tasks included capping a wellhead and sampling organisms.
“It’s a great event. The kids thoroughly enjoyed it,” said Robert Brake, a science and math teacher from Amalgamated Academy in Bay Roberts who accompanied students to the Marine Institute. “It’s an extracurricular program that’s easily incorporated into our curriculum. It’s a chance to learn new skills, to use new tools and take part in hands-on learning.”
Brake was not the only attending teacher to sing the praises of the ROV challenge, as Tom Sheppard of Frank Roberts Junior High in Conception Bay South also spoke highly of the experience the event offered his students. “They get exposed to some very high-tech skills that are relevant to where we live in Newfoundland and Labrador. The kids got to explore high-tech robotics while learning more about industries that are important to the people of their region. You can’t expose them to these areas too early and by introducing them to underwater robotics, you’re getting them thinking of possible careers in the future,” said Sheppard, a junior high technology teacher. “A big part of the project is the design process. They have to design and build an ROV and that’s not an easy task. Then they get the experience of flying their ROV. That takes what they’ve learned and transfers it to what they’re doing. It’s an authentic learning experience.”
The competition took place at the Marine Institute’s flume tank, with students, parents, teachers and MI personnel in attendance. The opening ceremonies were held Friday, April 15, while the competition began on Saturday, April 16. “The event gave the students a chance to design, build and operate a remotely operated vehicle, while executing tasks defined by the Marine Advanced Technology Education Centre of Monterey, California,” said Dwight Howse, head, School of Ocean Technology, MI. “Some of our main goals were to expand student interest in ocean technology careers and build the next generation of ROV teams for the MATE ROV high school and post-secondary competitions.” The Marine Institute has been hosting ROV competitions for high school students since 2006, with the winning teams earning an invitation to the annual international MATE remotely operated vehicle event.
Career Opportunities
Both the high school and junior high school competitions help showcase careers in this field for young people. “We feel it is important to get students interested in the oceans, science and technology,” Howse said. “There are many career options available for them at the Marine Institute, in ROV technology and in all aspects of the ocean industries. We want the students to know they can consider the oceans for exciting and meaningful career paths.” Taking part in the opening ceremonies on Friday were Howse; Paul Leonard, president, Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. and a Memorial University graduate; and Dr. Nicholas Krouglicof, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University. The competition was supported by the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development and ExxonMobil.
Participating schools
The participating schools included Amalgamated Academy (Bay Roberts); Beaconsfield Junior High (St. John's); Belanger Memorial (Upper Ferry); Botwood Collegiate (Botwood); Brother Rice Junior High (St. John's); Clarenville Middle School; Crescent Collegiate (South Dildo); E.A. Butler All Grade (McKays); Frank Roberts Junior High (Foxtrap); Heritage Collegiate (Lethbridge); Hillview Academy (Norris Arm South); Holy Cross School (Eastport); Holy Redeemer Elementary (Spaniard's Bay); JM Olds Collegiate (Twillingate); Lewisporte Intermediate; Mobile Central High; Mount Pearl Intermediate; Pearce Junior High (Salt Pond); Roncalli Central High (Avondale); St. Francis School (Harbour Grace); St. Lawrence Academy (St. Lawrence); St. Mark's School (King's Cove); St. Paul's Junior High (St. John's); St. Peter's Junior High (Mount Pearl); Stella Maris Academy (Trepassey) and Villanova Junior High (Conception Bay South).
