2023 Navy Great Lakes Regional Competition

Thank you for joining us for the Navy Great Lakes Regional SeaPerch Competition 2023! For any teams requesting information about their scores, please use nmas.seaperch@gmail.com. The SeaPerch team is endeavoring to answer any inquiries as quickly as possible. However, this team is also responsible for other museum events and your patience is requested.

Date: Saturday, March 18

Location: Lake Forest Academy
1500 Kennedy Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045

Competition Elements:

1. Obstacle Course - The Obstacle Course tests high-speed maneuverability and requires the SeaPerch ROV to navigate the course as quickly as possible.
2. The Mission Course incorporates a mission related to Ocean Exploration. Teams will lead an exploration effort including mapping an area, removing marine life from an underwater station, and retrieving samples in an underwater environment.
3. Technical Design Report - The Technical Design Report communicates your intentional design process.

Registration: Registration is now closed for 2023.

Please complete one online form for each team. To ensure all schools have an opportunity to compete, schools/organizations are limited to a maximum of four teams. If you have more than four teams interested, teams can be registered to the waitlist. Waitlisted teams will be contacted after registration closes.

For periodic updates about the competition, sign up for the Navy Great Lakes SeaPerch competition newsletter. 

About the Navy Great Lakes Regional Competition

This competition features three classes: Middle School Standard, High School Standard, and Open Class. Three teams qualify for the National Competition typically held at the University of Maryland each May.

Approximately one month before the competition date, each team receives a confirmation packet with their assigned competition time slot, rolling check in time, and more. Competitiors can enjoy a food truck, triage station, and test pool on competition day.

Please Note: The competition is open to 40 teams total. To ensure all schools have an opportunity to compete, schools are limited to a maximum of 4 teams. If your school/organization has more than 4 teams who want to participate, they will be added to a waitlist and contacted after registration closes.

Challenge and Scoring

The Navy Great Lakes competition uses the same course and score system as the National SeaPerch competition. The competition includes two in-pool components: an obstacle course and a challenge course. Each year, the course and its objectives change. Check out the 2023 Challenge.

Questions about the Navy Great Lakes SeaPerch Competition? Contact us at nmas.seaperch@gmail.com or by calling 847-220-7501.

What is SeaPerch?

SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students with the resources they need to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) in an in-school or out-of-school setting. Students build their ROV using pre-assembled kits and a STEM curriculum that teaches basic engineering and science concepts with a marine engineering theme. Throughout the project, students learn engineering concepts, problem solving, teamwork, and technical applications.

Who can participate and how long does it take to build a ROV?

SeaPerch is designed for middle and high school students. SeaPerch recommends one ROV kit for teams of 2-4 students. It takes approximately 10 hours to build and test a SeaPerch kit, but the SeaPerch curriculum is adaptable to each group’s needs and learning outcomes. Some schools spend a whole semester building their SeaPerch, whereas out-of-school groups may dedicate only a few weekends.

Does the Navy provide and/or sponsor ROV kits?

No, the Navy does not have kits available for distribution. We recommend contacting your school's PTO or a local service organization, such as the Rotary Club, about the sponsorship of teams.

For more information about SeaPerch or to purchase kits, please visit the SeaPerch website: https://www.seaperch.org/