NLC and US Navy Partner to Host Regional Robotics Competition

Northeast Lakeview College (NLC), the newest of the five colleges in the Alamo Colleges District, is excited to partner with the US Navy and coordinate the first-ever Regional Underwater Robotics Competition in San Antonio. 38 teams (over 130 students) from San Antonio and the surrounding areas are registered to compete. Teams were made up of middle school and high-school students, ranging in age from 12 – 18. Utilizing components of the SeaPerch Program, the teams have been working with their instructors over the last several weeks to construct their underwater robot and get it ready for competition. On February 25, teams competed in three challenges – obstacle course, the challenge, and a poster/interview session.

Scores from the competition were combined and the top three teams will receive trophies and medals.

1st Place - Harmony Science Academy
2nd Place - John Paul Stevens High School
3rd Place - Harmony School of Innovation

The top two teams will go on to the National Competition at Georgia Tech on May 19-20, 2017.

Participating teams included students from diverse backgrounds, including underserved and underrepresented school districts, homeschooled students, and an all-girls team.

Schools/ISD’s represented include:
Alamo Heights ISD, Harmony School of Innovation, Schertz-Cibolo-UC ISD, Boys & Girls Club of SA, Harmony Science Academy School of Science & Technology, Caddo Parish School Board, Homeschooled students, Southside ISD, Fabens HS Northside ISD, Harmony Public Schools, San Antonio ISD

The goal of the SeaPerch Regional Challenge is to increase student interest in robotics, science, mathematics, engineering and technology and to introduce the students to naval engineering.

The event was made possible through a partnership between Northeast Lakeview College and the US Navy, supported by Society of American Military Engineers (SAME). Programs like this one are meant to address the need for skilled workers in the various Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields to keep up with future demands. It also engages and inspires young people by exposing them to exciting, hands-on, and mentor-based programs that build STEM skills, while at the same time fostering self-confidence, teamwork, and other life skills.

Team photographs of the winning teams can be found here