Juneau Economic Development Council

EDC's SeaPerch Workshops Begin Again Across Alaska

JEDC's annual series of SeaPerch Teacher Workshops was launched in Anchorage on Friday, January 6. A joint effort of Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, the National Defense Education Program, and JEDC's STEM AK program, the goals of SeaPerch I are to support and enhance the effective teaching of science and engineering in Alaska utilizing hands-on, minds-on activities with students.

The SeaPerch I workshops introduce concepts and skills focusing on design, engineering, buoyancy, propulsion, and problem solving using construction of an underwater ROV as a platform, and are coordinated by JEDC's Robert Vieth. "Included in the workshop are examples of real-world applications of remote-operated vehicle (ROV) technology, the use of tools to conduct scientific research, and a discussion on methods for applying best teaching practices to delivery of this material in the classroom," he says.

SeaPerch I workshops are open to teachers of 4th through 12th grades, as well as home school educators and leaders of youth organizations like Boy and Girl Scouts, 4-H, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. One teacher each from Sitka's Mount Edgecumbe High School and the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska in Kenai will also attend the Ketchikan workshop to be trained as trainers.  All workshop materials, tools, instruction manuals, and black-line masters are provided at no charge, and one UAA credit (ED 580) is also available.The SeaPerch workshop schedule is as follows:

  • Anchorage, January 6-7
  • Fairbanks (Advanced SeaPerch Workshop), February 8
  • Fairbanks, February 9-11
  • Ketchikan, February 24-25

Space is limited, so register right away if you would like to participate. Visit stemak.org/seaperch and click on the location of the training you would like to attend. If you have questions, contact Bob Vieth at  rvieth@jedc.org or 907-523-2342.