SEA-TECH 4-H Club Takes 3rd Place
at International ROV Competition
By Betsy Fradd, WSU Extension 4-H
The young engineers moved with precision and determination as they maneuvered their underwater robot to perform life-altering tasks for possible real time scenarios.
For Team Genesis, the college team from Sea-Tech 4-H club in Skagit County, the intensity of months of designing and practicing with their remote operated vehicle (ROV) paid off as they captured third place at the 2009 MATE International ROV Competition in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Joe Thieman designed the electronics of the 142-pound Genesis ROV and piloted the robot to simulate a rescue of a downed military sub.
“The most thrilling part is how the machine comes to life and is able to open hatches, dock, and make deliveries to a sub,” said the 21-year old from Arlington.
Missions in the pool were half of the overall score with other points being awarded for an engineering presentation and evaluation, a technical report, and a poster session.
Sea-Tech Club Leader Lee McNeil said the huge win for Team Genesis exemplified teamwork and commitment.
“Considering our 4-H club was pitted against research universities with significant resources and technical colleges that focus on robotics curriculums, we did very well,” said McNeil.
Among the competing teams were Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Perdue University, the Institute for Marine Technology Problems in Vladivostok, Russia; and the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
The competition promotes development of technical skills, creative problem solving, critical thinking, and teamwork.
“Designing an underwater robot presents a more challenging set of problems to solve than conventional robotics,” explained McNeil. “These machines must be constructed for stability and buoyancy control since they do not operate on solid footing like a land-based robot.”
All six members of Team Genesis worked on the design and perfected their competition roles during the six months before the June competition. In addition to Thieman as Pilot, other 4-H members were Trevor Uptain, Mission Commander; Jaquelyn McNeil, Mission Specialist; Keegan McAdams, Manipulator Operator; Peyton Hasenohrl, Tether Tender, and Lee Theiman, Photographer.
“The grueling months before the competition we modeled, machined, soldered, and documented,” said Thieman. “That’s when, to me, the competition was really happening as every team worked in labs and garages to create the finest machine they could.”
Team Genesis also took home the award for innovation and originality as well as receiving the safety conscious award by using exemplary safety practices.
While the team can enjoy their multiple accolades they also have their eyes on the future. Up next? Building a new ROV for the international competition to be held next year in Hilo, Hawaii.
