The Connecticut Technology & Engineering Education Association (CTEEA) hosted the Electric Boat-CTEEA SeaPerch Regional Underwater ROV Competition at Waterford High School. Sponsored by General Dynamics Electric Boat, this competition brought together student teams from across Connecticut to demonstrate their underwater robotics skills.
SeaPerch, a program originally funded by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and managed by RoboNation, challenges students to design, build, and operate remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) in an underwater environment. Participants will navigate their ROVs through intricate underwater obstacle courses and complete mission-based tasks, applying STEM concepts in a dynamic, hands-on challenge.
This event was supported by General Dynamics Electric Boat through its Building Opportunities in Advanced Technology (BOAT) initiative. Through BOAT, Electric Boat invests in workforce development by providing students with valuable exposure to maritime engineering and advanced technology, helping to cultivate the next generation of innovators.
The day's activities were organized by Host Site Coordinator Michael Bono, Waterford CTE Department Coordinator and Gregory Kane, Connecticut SeaPerch Program Coordinator.
Sailors from the PCU District of Columbia SSBN 826 served as referees for the event. Divers from the Navy Submarine Medical Research Laboratory spent the morning in the pool resetting the playing fields. Representatives from both the UCONN and URI Navy STEM Program were on hand to assist the student teams.
Top-finishers qualified for the International SeaPerch Challenge May 30 - 31, 2025 | College Park, Maryland, representing the region on a global stage.
