The Thomas E. Harrington Middle School SeaBots team headed to southern California last month for the 2022 MATE World Championship, where they participated in a program called MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education) that organizes underwater robotics competitions around the world.
The competition’s mission is to help prepare America’s future workforce for ocean-related occupations. The MATE Center utilizes information from employers to improve and develop educational programs with a focus on marine technology.
The SeaBots team consists of 16 eighth graders dedicated to designing and building underwater robots. Their goal is to create remotely operated vehicles (ROV) that can complete various tasks related to real-world marine problems.
The team secured first place at the MATE New England Regional Competition at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy on May 1. Members then began preparing to compete again, this time internationally.
At a MATE competition, teams present themselves as companies who design and build ROVs. Along with building an underwater robot, teams must also write a 25-page technical report, create a marketing display and prepare an oral presentation.
With the regional award behind them, the SeaBots prepared their ROV for the MATE World Championship at Long Beach City College in Long Beach, California. Team members knew they had to offer their highest-level performance at that competition, given they would compete against all the first-place teams from around the globe.
In a release, the team expressed its gratitude for being able to compete and also cited families and coaches for providing motivation.
“The SeaBots are grateful for all of the wonderful opportunities and support given to them, the release stated. “They would also like to acknowledge their coaches and families for their encouragement and assistance during their exciting journey.”
The Harrington SeaBots ultimately finished in fourth place at the International SeaPerch Competition at the University of Maryland and ranked eighth at the ‘22 MATE World Championship earlier in June.
Coach Maureen Barrett said the SeaBots team was grateful for the chance to compete, and although members didn’t reach first place, she remains proud of their accomplishments. The past year was her last at Harrington.
“It was nice just to be there (at the competition),” she noted. “Of course, we would’ve liked to have won, but it’s okay that we didn’t. The students are dedicated and smart; they did what they needed to do to have our robot ready, and I’m proud of them.”
