Irving ISD Receives SeaPerch Robotics Training

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jonathan Vargas, Navy Recruiting District Dallas Public Affairs

IRVING, Texas (NNS) -- Navy Recruiting Command's city outreach officer held SeaPerch robotics training for teachers from 10 schools in Irving Independent School District (ISD), Sept. 16.

The SeaPerch program is sponsored by the Office of Naval Research and it provides students with the opportunity to learn hands on about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) while challenging them to build an underwater remotely operated vehicle.

"The training went well," said Lt. Cmdr. J. Darnell Jones, Navy City Outreach Officer for Southwest Region. "Irving ISD is the newest ISD that will participate in the SeaPerch program and we are looking forward to the competition early next year."

Jones mentioned that the Navy is dedicated to get students interested in STEM-related fields and the best way to get to the students is to educate the teachers about programs like SeaPerch. Once the teachers are taught on how to build the underwater robot, they can teach their students and prepare them for the SeaPerch competition.

Vince De Jesus, video game design teacher from Lady Bird Johnson Middle School was one of the teachers in attendance that received the training.

"I think this program is really cool and it gives the students the opportunity to learn hands on," said De Jesus. "It's an awesome opportunity to have the Navy promote STEM awareness in the schools."

Jones, along with Senior Chief Navy Counselor Aaron Johnson, will be visiting the schools throughout the year to talk with teachers and to motivate and mentor the students to get them ready for the SeaPerch competition at the end of the school year.

"The teachers will have guidance through the SeaPerch website which has all the standard operating procedures," said Jones. "We will also be at the schools every other week to observe and answer any questions the students have about the SeaPerch robotics program. We will guide them every step of the way so they can be prepared for the competition at the end of the school year."

Recruiters from Navy Recruiting District Dallas will also be available to help any students and teachers throughout the process of building an underwater robot.

"I'm excited to see how the students react to SeaPerch and what they will do with it. They are the real innovators," said De Jesus.