Union Grove High School (UGHS) had seven teams of engineering students compete at the Southeast Wisconsin Seaperch Competition on March 19, 2023. This year was the largest competition with 30 teams, hosted by the Milwaukee Council of Navy League held at St. Francis Deer Creek Intermediate School. Teams from UGHS had a successful day earning every award at the high school level. The competition involves controlling remotely operated vehicles (ROV) underwater to complete obstacles and missions, and a judged presentation.
Students at the competition receiving awards:
1st Place: “Sharkbait”- Colton Brouwers, Barrett Dorval, Harley Ranta, Xavier Stelmachowski
2nd Place: “Unsinkables”- Rin Brouwers, Raymond Gomez, Austin Jakes, Everly Squires
3rd Place: “The A-Team”- Luke Baird, Ryan Miller, Tim Truchon
Best Presentation: “ROV Reapers”- Cody Ashburn, Caleb Hagemann, Braxton Hinds, Cole Wicklund
Best Mission: “Gubble Buppies”- Andrew Theama
Best Obstacle: “Sharkbait”- listed above
Prior to competition, students worked together to design a ROV with specific requirements, limited supplies, and a $25 budget. The students incorporated 3D printed parts and made modifications to their ROVs after testing.
A huge ‘thank you’ goes out to the Days Inn-Sturtevant for allowing our students to use the pool several times to practice controlling their ROVs underwater with the mission and obstacle course.
The teams are led by engineering teacher Erik Wolbach, and supported by business partners:
- American Metalcraft
- BSW Electric
- Coleman Tool
- First Call Heating and Cooling
- Society of Women Engineers
- Wisconsin Army National Guard - Sergeant Patrick.
The top three teams are invited to compete at the international competition held at the University of Maryland in May.
SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that equips students, educators, and parents with the resources they need to build an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) in an in- or out-of-school setting. For more about Seaperch, www.seaperch.org.
Check out these news pieces that highlighted the event:
