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Local students advance to state SeaPerch competitionFeb 08, 2013 (Herald-Times - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Two local high school SeaPerch robotics teams have advanced to the state competition in April. The Bloomfield High School Naval Junior ROTC team and five teams from Bloomington High School South advanced through the Southwest Indiana STEM Resource Center's Regional SeaPerch Challenge held Feb. 2 at the University of Southern Indiana. The local teams made up six of the eight high schools who qualified for the state competition being held in Dubois County in April. During the regional competition, more than 60 Southern Indiana schools competed in stock and open divisions where they maneuvered underwater vehicles, or ROVs, through competitive drills. For the past few years, South has had a number of successful SeaPerch teams. One of this year's regional winners has been named the national champion two years in a row. Cindy Kvale, South physics teacher and robotics team sponsor, said the school took six teams to regionals this year which demonstrates the growth the program is going through. "It's a quick little robot to build, it's a lot of fun, and it's under water," Kvale said of why students enjoy SeaPerch. "They see results rather quickly . a lot of the challenge is about carefully driving the robot under water." The South teams who advanced to state are "Joe Iveys," "Red October," "King Hong," "MAD," and "Team Facepalm." The NJROTC team consists of Kyle Vaught, Jocelyn Gadberry, Liam Miller and Elizabeth Fletcher. Those who win at state will qualify for the national event in Indianapolis in May. More regional SeaPerch competitions are scheduled this month. ___ (c)2013 the Herald-Times (Bloomington, Ind.) Visit the Herald-Times (Bloomington, Ind.) at www.heraldtimesonline.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |