Louisiana 4-H SeaPerch Challenge 2026

• SeaPerch Kit
• Basic tools
• Construction Manual
• Testing pool (private pools, community pools, hotel)
• Extra Parts for competition - suggested extra motors, propellers & control box)

• Teaching Resources
• Instruction Videos
• Engineering Process

The 2026 Louisiana 4-H SeaPerch Challenge will have the classes listed below. For a full breakdown of the classes for your teams check out this document.

• Middle School Stock Class: This class is for junior competitors (may not include youth in 9th grade or above) that are competing in the stock class ($25 limit on modifications & limit to 3 SeaPerch thrusters)
• High School Stock Class: This class is for senior competitors that are competing in the stock class ($25 limit on modifications & limit to 3 SeaPerch thrusters). A team with any youth above 8th grade will be placed in the High School Stock Class.

There will be four events at the competition that will be scored to rank teams. Schedule details will be announced closer to the competition date. Check out the info below.

• Technical Design Report: This is an updated version of the Engineering Notebook. This is a 5 page (maximum) document that outlines the Engineering Design Process for the team. Check out these guidelines for the report. Follow the rubric carefully to make sure you get all the easy points! If a team chooses to make a digital submission, this must be submitted by email to Brian Gautreau by February 16 at 4:30 p.m. Please put SeaPerch Report - TEAM NAME in the subject line.
• Team Interview: 4-H strives to develop well-rounded individuals that excel in soft skills such as presentation and interviews. Each team will present their ROV to a panel of judges. Components of the presentation include introduction of team, design of the ROV, modifications to fulfill tasks, successes, challenges, engineering design process. Each member of the team must have a roll in the presentation (even if it is just introducing themselves). A short Q&A time will be at the end of the interview by the judging panel. Possible Interview questions. and scoring rubric.
• Mission Course: The mission course changes each year. The 2026 course theme is "Storm Response: Technology in Action for Recovery and Relief." For full information on this year's mission course visit here, well as the rubric. Teams will accumulate points in the mission course for ranking.
• Obstacle Course: The obstacle course is a series of 5 hoops that allows for teams to navigate through the water. This is a timed event and teams will have 2 chances to run to get their best time.

The Engineering Notebook has been replaced with the Technical Design Report. This report is a 5 page maximum report with the following sections.

1. Abstract (1/2 page)

2. Task Overview (1/2 page)

3. Design Approach (2 pages)

4. Experimental Results (1 page)

5. Reflection & Next Steps (1 page)

6. Acknowledgements (no page limit)

7. References (no page limit)

Be sure to check the resources below for full details of the report and the rubric. Be sure to check the rubric for those EASY points!

Technical Design reports are due at check-in the morning of the competition. If submitting a digital notebook, this must be emailed to Brian Gautreau by February 16 at 4:30 p.m. Please include in the subject line "SeaPerch Report - TEAM NAME."

TECHNICAL DESIGN REPORT GUIDELINES

TECHNICAL DESIGN REPORT RUBRIC

Each team will have a 5 minute presentation to a panel of judges. THIS WILL NOT BE A VIDEO SUBMISSION. A few minutes of Q&A will follow the presentation. Possible interview questions

Interview times will be announced after registration.

INTERVIEW INSTRUCTIONS & QUESTIONS

TEAM INTERVIEW SCORING RUBRIC

We will have participation in both of the obstacle course and mission (challenge) course. Be sure to check out the pools rules along with the scoresheets for each course that we will be using.

POOL GUIDELINES

2026 MISSION AND OBSTACLE COURSE SCORESHEETS