LOCAL STUDENTS DEVELOP UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGIES TO ASSESS WORLD WAR II SHIPWRECKS AT PEARL HARBOR RICHARDSON POOL

Winners Will Head to Orlando for International Contest

HONOLULU – Twenty-four Hawaii elementary, middle, and high school teams are competing in the Hawaii Underwater Robot Challenge (HURC) Saturday, May 19 using their underwater robots, known as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) that they designed and built in the hopes of qualifying for the championships in Orlando, Florida.

This year, the competition missions focus on the role that ROVs play in assessing World War II shipwrecks and the potentially hazardous fuel oil that they may still contain. For Hawaii teams, this year’s game simulation is very personal. With the history of the attack at Pearl Harbor just a few feet away, teams participate in mission tasks, piloting their ROVs to assess the condition of a simulated shipwreck and determine a course of action if oil is still on board.

ROVs are tethered underwater robots used in scientific research, ocean exploration, homeland security, the offshore oil and gas industry, and more. Each year, the ROV competition encourages students statewide to learn and apply science, technology, engineering, and math skills as they develop ROVs to complete missions that simulate real-world problems from the ocean workplace.

The following Hawaii teams are competing:

Scout Class Middle School Division

• Waikiki Aquarium: 4 teams
• Waianae Intermediate: 3 teams
• Le Jardin Academy: 3 teams
• Club HIIQ: 1 team

Scout Class Elementary School Division

• Lani Kai Elementary: 4 teams
• Kailua Homeschool club: 2 teams
• Pacific Palisades Elementary: 2 teams
• Hawaii Active Learning Academy: 1 team

Ranger Class Middle and High School Teams

• Kailua High School: 1 team
• Highlands Intermediate School: 2 teams
• Moanalua High School: 1 team

The Hawaii Underwater Robot Challenge is free and open to the public. It will be held tomorrow, Saturday, May 19 from 9:00am-12:00pm at Richardson Pool at Pearl Harbor Naval Base.

Underwater ROV is one of six robotics education programs in the state supported by the Robotics Organizing Committee and the Friends of Hawaii Robotics.

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