Through a generous grant received from the Cape Cod Foundation, the Cape Cod Regional STEM Network will offer a teacher professional development workshop in underwater robotics on March 19, 2022 from 9am-3pm at Cape Cod Community College.

The workshop will feature MATE ROV, a type of underwater remote-operated vehicle (ROV) kit. This year's design challenges focus on the UN Sustainable Development goals, honoring the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030.

"I chose MATE ROV as the platform to offer because it uses robotics in the underwater environment to challenge students to innovate and work together as they compete, " says Bridget Burger, Director of the Cape Cod Regional STEM Network. "This program is building off the work we have done with the regional school districts to launch Vex robotics competitions with middle and high school teams. This is a way to take robotics and coding in our region to the next level, and it's especially important because it ties teachers and students in with the Blue Economy and Blue Tech which are so vital in our community. Plus, focusing on sustainability and the UN SD goals as we do this is really critical."

Teachers will receive two free MATE ROV kits (valued at $250 each)--one they assemble at the workshop, and one to take back to their students. Teachers will be invited to bring their teams to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy MATE ROV competition May 1st to either compete or exhibit their designs.

Teachers will also receive PDP points, a $250 stipend, lunch, and follow-up one-on-one mentoring from the instructor. Space is limited and registration is required. Teachers must be from the Cape & Islands school districts, and can sign up here until March 10th: REGISTER HERE

Inquiries? Contact Bridget Burger bbugrer@capecod.edu