Teachers recently made a splash with SeaPerch, hosted in Region 2 at the West Baton Rouge Career Academy. SeaPerch teacher training, a statewide LASTEM initiative, is designed to bring underwater robotics into middle school classrooms across the state.
SeaPerch is more than just a project; it’s a hands-on STEM experience, a national competition, and a growing community. The program introduces students to the world of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), the same kind of underwater robots used by scientists, engineers, and explorers to study oceans, repair pipelines, and investigate shipwrecks. Through SeaPerch, students not only learn how to build and operate an ROV, but also gain skills in engineering design, problem-solving, teamwork, and innovation.
During this one-day workshop, educators from across the region rolled up their sleeves to build their own SeaPerch robots, gaining firsthand experience in the construction and operation of these underwater vehicles. The training also explored how to integrate SeaPerch projects into middle school curricula, connecting concepts from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in ways that excite and engage students.
By the end of the session, teachers left with a deeper understanding of project-based learning, ready-to-implement classroom activities, and a new network of educators eager to dive into the world of underwater robotics. Teachers find it incredible to see how something like SeaPerch can open students’ eyes to careers in engineering and marine science. It brings STEM to life in a way that’s fun and meaningful.
Events like this reflect LASTEM’s mission to expand access to high-quality STEM learning opportunities across Louisiana, preparing teachers with the confidence and tools to inspire the next generation of innovators. Through partnerships and the dedication of educators statewide, the LASTEM Network continues to build pathways that connect classrooms to real-world STEM experiences, one robot, one teacher, and one student at a time.
