Conference Session

Educational Outreach Efforts Led by the US Navy

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Susan Giver, The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers; Stephen Michetti, NSWCCD

Tagged Divisions

Ocean and Marine

means to build therobot. Sea Perch was born!The MIT Ocean Engineering Department recognized the value of the Sea Perch underwater robotas a tool for Outreach, and developed the prototype of a program, a listing of the parts required tobuild the robot, and a rudimentary design plan. The Sea Perch project was introduced to severallocal high schools in the Boston area, generating immediate interest. MIT sought and receivedfunding from the Sea Grant Program and the Office of Naval Research to expand the program,and one by one, schools became involved with the project.As the Sea Perch project continued through word of mouth, and as more teachers becameinvolved, a more developed curriculum was required. MIT, and many of the teachers whoinitially