Learning surfaces through Malow underwater robotics program

A new interest in science and robotics is coming up for air as part of a recently created underwater robotics team at Malow Junior High School.

The 11-member "Malow Mobile Marine" team has been meeting weekly after school to sink themselves into a junior robotics program that requires them to build and operate an underwater robot. 

Parent William Materna , who has been working with Malow teacher Jack Agosta, said the new team is a natural progression for students who have been together as part of Lego Robotics. 

"It really is all about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics," he said. 

Agosta said students involved in the program put together a working underwater robot by developing skills in engineering, electrical systems, programming and understanding flotation. He said the underwater program was designed by Square One Education. 

"This is really a fun alternative to Lego Robotics," said eighth grader Tyler Materna. "You are engineering something larger and I enjoy being involved in the programming and electrical work." 

Students are given basic parameters to design and program a robot that will do basic functions underwater, such as picking a bottle.

"It involves a lot of problem solving," said eighth-grader Kyle Weishaar. "We have had to build the robot, test it, and think about how we are going to get it to complete the mission."

At a recent day at the Eisenhower High School pool, team members had their first trial at submerging and testing the robot. Students spent time modifying flotation devices so that all parts of the robot would sink to the bottom of the pool at the same level. 

Once on the bottom of the pool, the students tested moving the robot and making sure the camera equipment was working properly. 

The new team will have its first competition this year at the Square One UIVD Peformance Challenge on March 15 at Oakland University. They will also compete at the Great Lakes Regional RO MATE Competition in Alpena this May.