The next Cell Phone Science Workshop is scheduled for June 22-24, 2010.  Contact Barb for more details - barb@squareonenetwork.org

Underwater Remote Operated Vehicle Workshop Overview

This workshop is open to all K-12 educators who have interest in the STEM disciplines.  It will provide a truly unique educational outreach opportunity that includes the resources, instruction and support, for the designing, engineering, and building of a fully functional underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV).  Within the confines of the workshop participants will be exposed to the different engineering challenges faced within the marine environment. In addition participants will be presented with concepts in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) that will facilitate building a ROV with students. Within this workshop the NASA Aerospace Education Service will provide an overview of NASA Missions from under the ocean research to the robotic spacecraft exploring the solar system and beyond. The workshop will include activities that will be related to NASA missions, robotics and exploration of the Earth and the rest of the solar system. Participants will be prepared to utilize NASA Mission and Education resources to enhance their existing curriculum while incorporating the Underwater ROV and its supporting curriculum.

This hands-on unit is based on brain research and how students best learn (12 Brain/Mind Principles in Action - Corwin Press 2004).  In addition, skills and activities presented in this workshop support the Michigan Merit Curriculum in science, mathematics and technology.  

During the ROV workshop participants will:

•Build a fully functional small scale ROV that can be replicated with students

•Gain a better understanding of the unique challenges presented by the underwater environment with comparisons to space exploration

Learn methods of propulsion and control in 3 dimensional space

•Resolve issues of buoyancy and weight

•Assemble a control tether and power distribution box using a 12V source

•Acquire the knowledge, skills, and resources to effectively mentor students in designing and building an ROV at their own school

•Network with educators with similar interests and share “best practices” in teaching and instruction and enjoy an introduction to opportunities presented by other related groups such as the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute, the Convergence Education Foundation, NASA and the Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary

•Learn how to use the completed ROV to support other academic offerings (biology, environmental science, social studies, etc.)

Building a Remote Operated Vehicle offers unique and exciting challenges and design parameters that are not addressed in other middle or high school level robotics projects. It is hoped that you will take this invitation to apply for a truly unique and enjoyable opportunity to put science, technology, and mathematics into practice in your classroom.

2009 ROV Workshop Application

Please include each of the following components in your workshop application.

(Please submit as a Word document or PDF)

1) Applicant background information for each team member including:

Name, mailing address, phone number and email.

Educational institution, current subjects taught, grade levels and class load

SBCEU’s will be offered.  Please indicate if you plan to take advantage of them.

2)Educational Institution Information for each institution represented:

Name of Institution

Mailing address and phone number

Principal’s name and email address

Composition of the student population and demographics served by your school (grades,            ethnicity, economic levels, urban, suburban or rural)

3)Team Summary:

Why do you want to participate in this workshop?

How does your team foresee using the materials, information and expertise you will obtain from this workshop? Specifically, how will you use the materials to:

Impact learning in your classroom or school?

Support project-based learning in your classroom or school?

Support other classes across the curriculum?

Include any other special features of your team, school demographics, geographic area or student population that would support your application.

4)A letter of support from your respective school principal(s) committing $150/team ($50/person) toward the cost of materials used in the workshop.  All materials required to build one fully functioning ROV will become property of your school following the workshop.

5)Application Deadline Monday October 12.  Please submit your completed application via email (fortonke@tcaps.net) or fax (231-933-3506) to Keith Forton, Traverse City Central Senior High School.  Include ROV application in the subject line to prevent accidental deletion.  Successful applicants will be notified via email on or before October 19.   Space is limited to 8 teams of three for a maximum of 24 participants.