MHCS Scout team Glacier Tech Rov is pictured tank testing. Photo by Justine Fischer
Every year, Western Sierra Charter School hosts an underwater ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) mock competition at the Yosemite High School pool complex.
The competition includes WSCS’ three schools: Mountain Home Charter School (MHSC) and Glacier High School (GHS) in Oakhurst, coached by Reghina Crump, along with their sister school Endeavour Charter School (ECS) in Fresno, coached by Renee Johnson.
“This event gives our ROV teams the opportunity to scrimmage and prepare before the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Monterey Regional Competition,” said Coach Crump.
The MATE Center is an initiative focused on marine technical education and underwater robotics headquartered at Monterey Peninsula College. It uses ROV competitions to challenge students to apply STEM skills to real-world ocean workplace scenarios.
This year, the local competition in Oakhurst included four teams from MHSC (Nano Nautics, Glacier Tech, Tech Titans and Zero Below), two from GHS (Glacier Point Robotics and OCTO Tech) and five from ECS (Aquanauts, Five Fries, Aqua X, Wave Riders and RocketSubs).
Shown from left, Tavis Corporation’s Travis Baumann and Caleb Savard, GHS Ranger team Glacier Point Robotics Deion Crump, Lucas Cribbs, Ava Stewart and Hanan Imhoff, Maxine Chance of Tavis and MHCS/GHS ROV coach Reghina Crump. Photo by Demetrice Crump
Students in grades 6-12 competed across three levels: Scout, Navigator and Ranger.
Crump said each team is scored in several areas including Marketing Display, Engineering Presentation, Product Demonstration and Safety.
“Every season MATE releases a theme,” she explained. “Teams must form a company with defined roles and build their ROV from scratch to complete real-world research and tasks related to that theme.”
At the Scout level, which is introductory, tasks may include collecting simulated soft coral samples from the Funk Island Deep Marine Refuge. These samples might be represented by a ½ PVC T-fitted with pipe cleaners, Crump said.
“The focus at this level is on data collection, samples, species identification and understanding how they relate to surrounding ecosystems.”
At the Navigator and Ranger levels, the tasks become more advanced.
Pictured at Yosemite High School, GHS Glacier Point Robotics team are back, from left, Deion Crump, Lucas Cribbs, Eli Doorley and Sylas Merrill; front, Demetria Crump, Ava Stewart, Trenton Dorfmeier, Emma Maire and Hanan Imhoff. Photo by Rachel Proto
“For example, teams may be required to measure a simulated coral garden and use photogrammetry to create a 3D model of it.”
This year, teams will head to the regional competition where they will have the opportunity to earn first, second and third place trophies.
The two Ranger teams, if they place first, will have the chance to advance to the World Championship in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Crump said this year’s local competition was supported by “some amazing volunteers” from all WSCS schools, Tavis Corporation of Mariposa and divers Kevin and Justine Fischer.
“A huge thank you also goes to Yosemite High School for allowing us to use their pool throughout the season for practice and to host this event.”
The teams were heading to regional competition on April 25 in Watsonville.
For more information, visit www.wscsfamily.org
MHCS Scout team Zero Below, from left, Toby Williams, Charlie Gibbons, Judah Chezum, Calvary Corwin, Lily Landscoot and Santino Maynard. Photo by Rachel Proto
Shown is the control box for GHS Navigator team OCTO. Tech Royce Williams is shown testing his ROV control box. Photo by Rachel Proto
MHCS Scout team Nano Nautics is pictured including, from left, Brody Costa, Simon Chacon and Ezra Donker. Photo by Rachel Proto
Pictured are divers Justine and Kevin Fischer and MHCS and GHS Principal Eric Hagen. Photo by Larry Neulinger
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