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You Go, Girls: ONR Robotics Help the SciGirls

For Immediate Release: Oct 12, 2012
By David Smalley, Office of Naval Research

ARLINGTON, Va.—The camera eye will put a national focus on education next week, as the PBS show “SciGirls” features an Office of Naval Research (ONR)-sponsored initiative to help encourage the next generation of scientists.

Airing Oct. 13 and 14 in select cities—with November air dates slated on other PBS stations—the show highlights the use of student-built, remote-controlled SeaPerch robots to explore the underwater world.

SeaPerch is considered a signature program in the Department of the Navy’s efforts to improve science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. A K-12 educational outreach, it gives students the opportunity to learn about robotics, engineering, science and mathematics while building a remotely operated underwater vehicle as part of the science and engineering curriculum.

In the episode, 12- and 13-year old girls use SeaPerch to investigate the health of oysters in the Chesapeake Bay.

The Navy’s broader STEM mission includes using innovative and hands-on projects to generate interest in technical fields of study at young ages—with the ultimate goal of encouraging more students to choose STEM-related majors in college.

Earlier this month, ONR earned accolades as a go-to institution for STEM education with the ASM Materials Education Foundation’s 2012 Pacesetter Award.

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About the Office of Naval Research

This year, the Department of the Navy’s Office of Naval Research (ONR) marks its 80th anniversary. For 80 years, ONR — including headquarters, ONR Global and the Naval Research Laboratory — has been a leader in advancing American naval warfighter readiness and dominance through innovations in science and technology for the Navy and Marine Corps. Today, ONR’s continued dedication to providing the Fleet and Force with the technological edge is catalyzing the advancement and delivery of combat systems, sensors, weapons, materials, robotic and autonomous systems and numerous other state-of-the-art, naval platforms and capabilities.