The Scottish heat of a grand battle of the subsea robots has just taken place in the swimming pool of Robert Gordon University.
And it is the team from Mintlaw Academy (they also won last year) that will go forward with their cool remotely-operated vehicle to the grand final of the hugely successful ROV Mate Competition.
Second-placed in the Scottish contest was Robert Gordon’s College while Mackie Academy came third.
Challenges included navigating simulated wrecks, conducting an ecology challenge and environmental clean-up.
The 2014 Mate International ROV final will take place June 26-28 at the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Alpena, Michigan.
Participating schools included; Alford Academy, Alness Academy, Banff Academy, Stirling, Bridge of Don Academy, Bucksburn Academy, Craigmount High School – Edinburgh, Mackie Academy, Menzieshill High School – Dundee, Mintlaw Academy, Peterhead Academy and Robert Gordon College.
Using the theme “Exploring the Great Lakes”, which focuses on exploring shipwrecks, sinkholes and conservation in the Great Lakes of North America, the school teams were required to think of themselves as entrepreneurs and transform their teams into companies that manufacture, market, and “sell” their ROV or the services their business provides.
In addition to engineering their ROVs, the students are required to prepare technical reports, poster displays, and engineering presentations that are delivered to working professionals who serve as competition judges.
By connecting students with employers and professionals from the workplace, the competitions also expose students to ocean-related career opportunities and help them to see the pathways to those careers.
All told, there will be 22 regional contests place across the US and in Canada, plus Hong Kong, Scotland, Japan, and Egypt, the winners of each then going forward to Thunder Bay.
Watch our video about the competition below:
Recommended for you
