Louisiana 4-H SeaPerch Challenge 2023

The 2023 Louisiana 4-H SeaPerch Challenge was held at the Louisiana State University UREC pool on May 6, 2023. Thank you to all the competitors, parents, coaches, teachers, and volunteers that made this event possible!

We look forward to seeing teams again for the 2024 Season!


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There are many resources available for the SeaPerch Challenge. Listed below are a few that have been found most useful. Feel free to contact Brian Gautreau with any questions.

The 2023 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 (may not include youth in 8th grade or below) that are competing in the stock class ($25 limit on modifications & limit to 3 SeaPerch thrusters)
  • Open Class: This class is for junior or senior competitors (any age) that are competing in the open class (no budget or thruster restrictions)

Teams will have 4 events for teams to be scored for placement. Details about scheduling will be announced shortly. 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 instructions 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 April 28 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. This year, it follows a marine-exploration theme to complete tasks. For full information of this year's courses check it out here, as 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.SeaPerch Obstacle Course Image

2023 Competition Details

The competition will be held in-person on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at the Louisiana State University UREC pool. Registration is due by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 28.

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 at check-in the morning of the competition. If submitting a digital notebook, this must be emailed to Brian Gautreau by April 28 at 4:30 p.m. Please include in the subject line "SeaPerch Report - TEAM NAME."

TECHNICAL DESIGN REPORT DETAILS

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 RULES AND GUIDELINES

MISSION SCORESHEET

OBSTACLE SCORESHEET

2023 Competition Results

Middle School Stock Class High School Stock Class
Class Champion The Sensational Sea Sisters, Lutcher High School Rapides High Robotics, Rapides High School
Mission Course The Sensational Sea Sisters, Lutcher High School Deep Blue, Alexandria Country Day University Academy
Obstacle Course The Sensational Sea Sisters, Lutcher High School Rapides High Robotics, Rapides High School
Technical Design Award The Sensational Sea Sisters, Lutcher High School Rapides High Robotics, Rapides High School

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