SEAPerch:
Extending Engineering Expertise to Future Generations
A marked and steady decline of new students in the engineering pipeline, particularly marine engineering, naval engineering, ocean engineering, and naval architecture, has brought industry and government to the table to discuss solutions. One innovative program designed to encourage students to consider careers in engineering is SEAPerch, an initiative developed by MIT, teaming with the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME), made possible through a grant from the National Naval Responsibility Initiative/Office of Naval Research. SNAME has been tasked by ONR to take the SEAPerch Program to a national level. The goal of SEAPerch is to interest students in the possibility of a career in engineering, and using interesting tools such as underwater robotics to encourage students to pursue engineering studies at the university level. In order to achieve this goal, teachers will try to show students that engineering skills are useful in everyday life and more importantly that they can have fun while learning. The program was originally used by the Intro to Engineering course at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, but after ONR received the college's proposal to make the program available to all age groups, MIT has developed it into a program that will educate students at the middle school and high school age. The SEAPerch program has been used successfully in the Philadelphia area, with the American Society of Engineers partnering with the Philadelphia School District and Drexel University. The program culminates with a one-day design competition at Drexel University, with 40, two-student teams participating, and has been so successful that ONR would like to emulate this model nationally. SNAME has been asked by the ONR to head up this project. "One of SNAME's primary goals, in fact its mission, is to 'further education in naval architecture, marine and ocean engineering.' The SEAPerch Program meets our mission, and affords our membership the opportunity to make a positive impact on the future of the profession by focusing on young people...the future of the industry," said Susan Giver, SNAME's Marketing and Communications Director, and the director of SNAME's Outreach efforts. Asked by ONR to focus on schools in the Washington, DC area first, SNAME has begun developing curriculum and programs utilizing SEAPerch in the Prince William County Schools, second largest district in Virginia, Anne Arundel Public Schools in Maryland, and Montgomery County Maryland. Through the efforts of volunteers, school districts, universities, and the government, SEAPerch seeks to teach youth engineering principles in an enjoyable environment, using an interesting tool.
According to Kelly Cooper, Program Officer at ONR, the program will not only provide education for students, but it will create agendas filled with "fun" activities, such as exploring underwater environments. By getting involved with hands- on activities students will be able to get out of the classroom for various forty-five minute periods and use hand held controllers that direct the motors and propellers of the underwater machine." There are two kits that are essential for the program. The first kit contains the actual parts of the underwater vehicle including the battery, safety goggles, and propellers. Each student or team of students receives a kit, which costs approximately $80. The second kit, known as the "tool kit" for teachers, includes chemistry
tongs, soldering gun, screw drivers, a type of heating system, and anything else needed to help students assemble their kits. The price of the teacher's kit averages around $500 and both kits can be purchased by the school or donated by a corporation or interested group. Although in its initial stages, the goal of the SEAPerch program will be to reach more students every year and will track the numbers of those who ultimately enter Engineering programs. Future plans include not only the DC area, but New Orleans, Hawaii, and throughout the country. For additional information regarding the SEAPerch program, contact Susan Giver at
sgiver@sname.org.
DIVERSIFIED Engine Exhaust Systems
All of our cylindrical, low profile and spark arresting series engine exhaust silencers are available in limitless configurations and designed with the highest quality craftsmanship, performance, longevity and customer space constraints in mind.
ABS Certified Bureau Veritas Qualified
ENGINE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS
7700 SW 69th Ave � Portland OR 97223 800-394-7571 � Fax: 503-244-7589 www.harcomanufacturing.com email: sales@harcomanufacturing.com
HARCO MANUFACTURING CO.
August 2007 � MarineNews � 27