(03/08/24) BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana 4-H recently hosted 22 teams from 10 parishes at the LSU Natatorium for the SeaPerch regional competition, a showcase for science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, programs.

SeaPerch challenges youth to build and engineer a submersible, remotely operated vehicle to complete a series of underwater challenges. More than 100 competed in this second year Louisiana 4-H has put on the event.

4-H STEM coordinator Brian Gautreau said the competitors learned valuable teamwork skills as team members brought their own strengths to each group.

“They have developed engineering skills, soldered electrical boards and waterproofed electrical components,” he said. “They are also speaking with judges to talk about the process behind their builds as well.”

To Gautreau’s point, in close proximity to the pool was a triage area with wire cutters, electrical tape, needle-nose pliers and other items used for repair in case one of the submersibles had any sort of mishap.

Gautreau emphasized that one of the primary program areas for Louisiana 4-H is STEM. He said that it’s something the organization targets to get youth into building and engineering.

“It doesn’t require coding like other programs do, so even if you don’t have that particular skill, you can still participate in this unique project,” he said. “Where else can you build underwater robots, right?”

LSU College of Engineering instructor Kim Kaufman was on hand to serve as one of the judges of the competition. She has been involved in SeaPerch since 2010, when she was a master trainer in Virginia. She now holds that same position in Louisiana, training coaches and mentors.

“What we are looking for is the kid’s experience with building the vehicle, their process, what they learned and what they might do differently,” Kaufman said.

Camila Valenzuela from the Capital Area STEM Network Center and LSU Gordan A. Cain Center for STEM Literacy emphasized the opportunities programs like SeaPerch afford to youth upon high school graduation in terms of a potential career.

“Underwater robotics welders have high paying careers,” Valenzuela said. “Some robotics don’t necessarily translate well into the job market, but SeaPerch is an avenue into many lucrative jobs across the country and even across the world.”

This year’s winners included High School Grand Champions “Swim Shadies” from Northshore High School in St. Tammany Parish, coached by Kelly Ryan; Middle School Grand Champions “Heat Risers” from Lake Castle Slidell Private School in St. Tammany Parish, coached by Jeff Oteri; and Sportsmanship Specialty Award winners “The Squad” from Bolton High School in Rapides Parish, coached by Sarah Lester.

Both the High School Grand Champions and the Sportsmanship Specialty Award winners will be eligible to attend the international competition in Maryland at the end of May.

An underwater remotely operated vehicle, or ROV, runs though one of its underwater challenges at the SeaPerch regional competition hosted by Louisiana 4-H. Photo by V. Todd Miller/LSU AgCenter

A triage table to repair remotely operated vehicles was nearby in case of any technical problems at the SeaPerch regional competition hosted by Louisiana 4-H. Photo by V. Todd Miller/LSU AgCenter

“The Squad” from Bolton High School in Rapides Parish won the Sportsmanship Specialty Award at the SeaPerch regional competition hosted by Louisiana 4-H. They now have the opportunity to attend the international competition in Maryland at the end of May. Photo by V. Todd Miller/LSU AgCenter